Boy who has no way of getting to school is left 'trapped in his home'

Unlike some other children his age, Charlie Andrews loves nothing more than going to school.

The eight-year-old, from Bury, thrives in his education and looks forward to seeing his friends every day.

Born with spina bifida, the youngster is paralysed from the waist down and needs an accessible bus to take him to and from his primary school in Tottington.

But due to a national driver shortage, his special transport service has now been terminated – meaning he hasn’t been to school properly for weeks.

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Charlie’s mum, Stacey Andrews, says problems with his transport started at the beginning of the school year in September 2022.

Driver sickness meant Charlie’s special vehicle frequently failed to show up, often seeing him attend lessons just two times a week.

When the service was cancelled completely on March 2, Charlie’s school stepped in and paid for an accessible taxi to pick him up every day. Sadly, the funding quickly ran out, meaning Charlie now has no way of getting to school and has not attended since the Easter holidays ended.

Unable to drive, full-time carer Stacey has no way of taking Charlie to school herself, which is four miles away from their home just outside Bury town centre.

Stacey now fears for Charlie’s development as he continues to miss out on his vital education and social time with his peers.

“He turned around to me on Sunday and asked if it was his fault,” the 38-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

“He thinks that’s why they’re not picking him up. It’s heartbreaking to think what’s going through his head.”

Mum Stacey says there have been no previous issues with Charlie’s transportation to Tottington Primary