Team BRIT, the all-disabled racing car team, have made an extra special effort to make a 5-year-old boy’s dreams come true.
Laigan Hammond is from Colburn, Catterick Garrison, and he has a genetic muscular condition. He was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 when he was 11 months old. The condition affects the nerves going to muscles and impacts everything from his breathing and swallowing to his ability to move.
On Saturday 12 September, Laigan and his family were invited to Oulton Park circuit in Chester to watch all-disabled Team BRIT race in the Britcar Championship.
The team, which aims to be the first British all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24 hour, supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport. The team uses the world’s most advanced hand controls to drive, and when hearing about Laigan’s story, team founder Dave Player, invited them to the race.
Laigan spent time meeting the drivers, seeing the cars and watching the race, before being presented with his own electric car which the crew fitted with a joystick to allow him to drive.
Laigan’s mum, Nataleigh said: “Thank you for the brilliant gift you have given Laigan. He will be overjoyed to be able to play as a ‘normal’ child would in the garden on something we never thought he would be able to use. It really does mean the world to us that you have thought about our boy. Thank you for inviting us down to meet you all. This is such an amazing opportunity for Laigan to see that his disability will not hold him back from doing anything he wishes to do.”
Team BRIT founder, Dave Player said: “It was such a pleasure to meet Laigan and his family. I hope we were able to show him that disability doesn’t have to hold you back from your dreams, and that he’ll have a lot of fun being an honorary Team BRIT driver at home!”
Further information on Team BRIT can be found at www.teambrit.co.uk.
Images: © Darren Cook, Scruffy Bear Pictures
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