A THRILL-seeking boy with a profound brain injury has launched a campaign to save the charity which has changed his life as he celebrates his 13th birthday.

Oliver Voysey is marking becoming a teenager with a series of 13 themed challenges, all ending in a face plant into a cake.

And he's asking others to join Oliver’s Calvert Army, his crowdfunding appeal to help save the Calvert Trust's Lake District activity centre for people with disabilities.

Fundraisers dream up a challenge based around the number 13, then face plant, donate to the appeal and nominate friends.

Daily Echo:

Calvert Lakes is threatened with closure over a £1 million shortfall in income thanks to the Covid crisis.

Oliver is desperate to save the charity which has helped him enjoy canoeing, rock climbing and zip wiring and will be walking on a treadmill for 13 minutes and standing unaided for 13 seconds among other challenges.

Daily Echo:

The Voysey family regularly travel to the centre from their home in Newcastle. Parents Gary, a former Toynbee School teacher who grew up in Townhill Park, and Sarah, who worked for Ordnance Survey in Southampton for many years, moved there from Bitterne in 2006.

Sarah said: “Oliver’s biggest birthday wish is for the Lake District Calvert Trust to survive.

“Oliver suffered a brain injury when he was two days old, which caused sight loss, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and learning difficulties.

“Throughout his life we have fought to show him that anything is possible. The Lake District Calvert Trust has helped us do this. It's our happy place, our break from reality and it really has changed our lives."

Daily Echo:

To support Oliver’s Calvert Army's £25,000 fundraising attempt, visit gofundme.com/olivers-calvert-army