UNWRAPPING a Christmas present leaves a smile on most children’s faces, but Curtis Rail’s joy at the sight of his new trike left crowds of people beaming.

The four-year-old’s feet were strapped into the pedals of his new custom-made tricycle for mere seconds before he was off, cycling around Chacewater Garden Centre where the presentation was made by Truro Lions Club just two days before Christmas.

Born with a rare genetic disorder which affects all of his senses as well as his brain, heart and lungs, his parents were unable to cope.

Nurse Louise Rail made the life-changing decision to foster and eventually adopt the child she cared for at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske.

Miss Rail, who left her job to care for Curtis, sent a touching letter to Truro Lions’ Club asking for help towards the cost of a tricycle for Christmas.

Miss Rail, 27, from Highertown, Truro said the Lions’ offer to pay the full cost of the tricycle left her in tears.

“I just didn’t think for a minute that they would pay the whole amount – I was hoping that maybe they could give a couple of hundred.

“Often people with a disabled child say they can feel quite isolated but so many people have supported us I don’t feel like that at all.

“I have met so many amazing people through Curtis that I feel like the lucky one to have him. He’s given me a new life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Truro Lions’ Club members and their wives braved cold evenings and weekends to serve hundreds of bacon butties to raise £1,590 needed for the bike.

Gloucestershire-based company Tomcat Trikes defied the odds by battling through snow to get the tricycle to Curtis before Christmas after taking nearly half the usual time to make the bike.

Lions’ president John Cardew said: “We want to say a big thank-you to everyone who bought a bacon buttie to make this happen and to Tomcat Trikes for working so hard to get the tricycle here for Christmas.

“But the biggest thank-you goes to Louise. We think she is absolutely amazing.

“We are privileged to be part of her Christmas and we really feel that thanks to the love she gives this young man, who’s been through so much, he now has a future.”

Miss Rail said: “He loves the tricycle. He’s thrilled with it and so are we.”