Two-year-old Leo Spavin can now join his mum and dad on their weekly shop at Asda Scunthorpe thanks to our GoTo Shop trolley.
Leo has a rare genetic disorder and is cared for full-time by his mum Nikki, pictured here with Leo and her husband Chris.
Nikki said: “The trolley helps massively … I couldn’t do a big shop on my own before. In this trolley he is elevated and facing us, which means he’s much happier because he can see everything that’s going on!”
The GoTo Shop trolleys are available in 400 of our stores and come with a secure five-point harness, padded seat and open front.
Nikki said: "Before we started using it I had to push him in his buggy while carrying a basket in my other hand – now he’s secure, supported and upright.
“He wouldn’t be able to hold himself up in the child seat of a normal trolley – he really likes it. It’s much better for us too because we can see he’s OK and means we can spend much more time in the store because we know Leo is happy and comfortable.”
Leo was born with a rare genetic disorder, a hole in his heart and breathing problems. He needed open heart surgery at nine weeks old and was in hospital for five months after he was born. He is fed through a tube and uses a bone anchored hearing aid.
“Despite everything he’s been through he’s a very happy little boy and is very smiley and sociable,” said Nikki. "He’s behind in his development but has lots of emerging skills. He’s just started to sit up for lengths of time. He’s vocal with lots of sounds but no words yet.
“We deal with things as they come up and try not to stress or get too frustrated about not knowing what the future holds. We tend to live in the now and take each day as it comes. It is frustrating not being able to plan too far ahead but we are slowly coming to terms with this.”
Leo is well-known at the store because his grandma Jeanette Hogan has worked there for 30 years. It was Jeanette who approached the store’s Community Champion Maggie Holland to see if they could get hold of one of the GoToShop trolleys.
Maggie spoke to the team at Asda head office and they ensured that one was delivered to the store.
Jeanette said: “It’s made a big difference – Nikki can now do a big shop with Leo. A couple of other children with additional needs and their families use it too. It’s amazing how much of a difference it has made.”
Deputy store manager Brian Markham said: "Jeanette knew it was very difficult for the whole family to shop together, so Maggie and everyone at the store were very keen to see what we could do to help.
“We’ve had great feedback from Leo’s family and other families who have been using it too – it’s used now on a regular basis.
“Everyone knows Jeanette and her family so it makes colleagues proud to see how we’ve been able to help.”
The GoTo Shop trolleys are available in 400 of our stores and are usually stored in the trolley park near the main entrance. If you can’t find one, please ask colleagues at the customer service desk for information. If your local store does not have one, please ask to speak to the general store manager who will be able to order one or more of the trolleys.
