Along with cerebral palsy, Hollie has learning and communication difficulties as well as a number of medical needs. She is unable to swallow or talk and has spent most of her life in a wheelchair, with doctors saying she would never walk. 

During the Covid-19 lockdown, however, Hollie defied all the odds by taking her first ever steps. She went on to ‘cruise’ the length of her sofa, then did it all again the next day and the day after that.

With the encouragement of her parents, she then embarked on a sofa cruise fundraising challenge to help the school which has been so instrumental in her development. By the time she’d completed 100 lengths of the sofa, Hollie had raised in excess of £13,000, exceeding all expectations.

From left to right: Mountpark’s Managing Director, Phillip O’Callaghan, Development Director, Tom Kilmister, Green Lane’s Acting Head Teacher, Jo Mullineux, Hollie Red and Variety’s Sunshine Coach Programme Manager, Stuart Wilcox

Thanks to Hollie’s extraordinary determination as well as the kind generosity of Mountpark, Green Lane School is now the proud owner of a brand new Sunshine Coach. The gift of an accessible, reliable minibus means pupils are now able to get out and about in their community as well as go further afield, exploring places they usually wouldn’t see and extending their learning. The coach couldn’t have come at a better time, just as pupils are emerging from the past two years’ Covid restrictions.

Mountpark’s Managing Director, Phillip O’Callaghan and Development Director, Tom Kilmister, were thrilled to officially hand the coach to the school, while acting Head Teacher, Jo Mullineux, was overjoyed to mark Hollie’s outstanding achievement by presenting her with her Variety Young Ambassador certificate, t-shirt and gold heart pin.

Hollie was also sent a gift and message from her favourite CBBC character, Mr Tumble, while Wolfie Warrington Wolves Rugby Team Mascot made a surprise appearance.

Watch the ITV News video clip covering the story, featuring an interview with Hollie and her mum, Steph Reid.