A SUPERHERO Dunfermline dad has helped to buy a new innovative mobility machine for Calaiswood School.

Dave Roper, also known as the Duloch Spiderman, has raised a huge £57,000 for the additional needs school, part of which has been used to buy an Innowalk Pro system.

"We have had an Innowalk for a few years," depute head Catherine Bathie explained, "but the Pro can take kids all the way into adulthood.

"It is used by those with complex difficulties around walking – it can mimic walking and helps to develop muscle tone.

"We have had pupils with cerebral palsy benefitting, and one pupil with arthritis who has used it.

"It helps them to continue to use their muscles, it is another part of physio."

It is all thanks to the parent, who fundraises throughout the year and whose son, Liam, attends the school.

Dave wrote on the Duloch Spiderman Facebook page: "I am so pleased that this machine can and will make a difference to these children.

"What’s even better is it’s not just children at Calaiswood that are getting to use this. Non-ambulant children from other schools have been too!"

Ms Bathie said that without his efforts, the school would never have been able to provide the help they have to their pupils.

"When we got the first one there was only one other in Scotland," she added.

"Children from other special needs schools across Fife have been able to book slots in our gym hall to use it – we are part of a community.

"A number of our students had grown too tall and have now been able to be re-assessed, and some of our older pupils are now able to use it.

"It has become part of their therapy throughout the week. It is great for parents as well, as the children are working on their core and have more strength when standing."

Teachers have been trained fully on how to use and adapt the machine to each child and pupils who walk a mile are rewarded with a star to take home to commemorate the achievement.

Calaiswood School provides specialist education for children and young people between the ages of three and 18 who have complex and additional support needs.