Bedford schoolboy has trip of a lifetime after suffering head injury

For 11-year-old Daniel Pitchford from Kempston, a school trip abroad was more than just a new experience.

Daniel suffered a serious head injury in an accident with a car when he was just eight-years-old.

The accident sadly left him with serious learning difficulties and a number of other complications.

Naturally, Daniel’s mum Klara was apprehensive before she agreed that he could go on the trip.

She said: “I was quite nervous for Daniel to go away without me, especially doing something like skiing.

“The school were great, all my nerves were reassured and I really wanted Daniel to have this opportunity for his confidence and independence.”

With help from the headteacher at Daubeney Academy, teaching assistants and the Challenger Trust who made this trip possible, Daniel had the experience ‘of a life time’.

Daniel was determined to overcome the odds and become an accomplished skier, he even took a number of lessons at the Xscape in Milton Keynes prior to the trip.

Daubeney Academy paid for another member of staff to go on the trip purely to act as Daniel’s shadow for the week.

Headteacher Steven Miles, said: “As a school we were so pleased we could help Daniel achieve his dream of becoming an accomplished skier.”

Daniel said: “I had a really good time and I was pleased I could go, I made lots of new friends.”

For more about the Challenger Trust visit their website www.challengertrust.org