YOUNG Oliver Hedgley is today celebrating after the generosity of Press Ball revellers helped change his life. Guests at this year's Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball, held at the Hotel Elizabeth, Copdock, in June, raised a whopping £42,000 for Disability Care Enterprise (DCE).

YOUNG Oliver Hedgley is today celebrating after the generosity of Press Ball revellers helped change his life.

Guests at this year's Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball, held at the Hotel Elizabeth, Copdock, in June, raised a whopping £42,000 for Disability Care Enterprise (DCE).

The Suffolk-based charity today announced that nine-year-old Oliver is among the first to benefit from the success of the glittering night.

DCE project director Carolyne Morey said some of the money raised by the Press Ball has been used to buy a trike for Oliver.

She said: “The amount raised at this year's Press Ball was fantastic. Oliver is the first of many individuals and families we will be able to help out thanks to those who dug so deep to raise so much.

“As we have no administration costs every penny raised goes directly to those who we help and we always spend as much as we raise.

“This is a brilliant start and we are delighted to be able to help Oliver and his family in this way.”

Oliver's mum Denise Hedgley said the trike has transformed Oliver's life.

She added: “Oliver was born 11 weeks premature and he suffers from Cerebral Palsy. He has difficulties with balance and using his legs so he couldn't ride a two wheeled cycle.

“Oliver can now keep up with his friends as they cycles to school. It means he can be part of the crowd which is really important to him. It is a really cool trike, it is silver and he really loves it.”

Denise, 36, who works as a part-time waitress, said the whole family can use their bikes together.

She said: “It has made a big, big difference to Oliver and to us. I am overwhelmed by the support people have given to the charity. It is fantastic.”

Graeme Kalbraier, managing director of Press Ball sponsor Call Connection said: “Oliver's story and others like it are why we support DCE.

“This year was a stunning event and we raised a fantastic amount for charity. I am delighted and very proud we can already see the results of the Press Ball just weeks after the event.”

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “This year we pulled out all the stops at the tenth anniversary Press Ball. It was a brilliant night and we raised an amazing amount for DCE. Today was can really see what it was all about.”

Weblinks www.dcecharity.co.uk

www.callconnection.co.uk

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