FRANKLEN’S FUNDRAISING BIKE RIDE!
KIND-HEARTED schoolboy Franklen Howell-horsley has raised more than £1,000 for charity after cycling 20 miles from his favourite football ground.
The six-year-old Stoke City fan set off from the bet365 Stadium with his dad and made his way along canal towpaths and pavements to reach Crewe Alexandra’s ground.
The money raised from the outstanding achievement will go to the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity in memory of Daniel Hughes.
The money will provide more than 12 young people with screening for heart defects and potentially save their lives.
Franklen’s dad, Martin Howell, used to live near Daniel, a fit and healthy postman who died in March 2015. His cousin Nathan Shaw was Daniel’s best friend.
He has raised money for CRY in the past and joined Martin and Franklen on the cycle ride from Stoke-on-trent to Crewe.
Martin’s pal Henry Jones followed
the cyclists along the route to provide support and refreshments.
The fundraising bike ride came about when Leek First School pupil Franklen got a new mountain bike and told his dad that he wanted to ride for 20 miles.
So the 42-year-old Fedex worker, of Crewe, came up with the idea of cycling between the bet365 Stadium and Gresty Road to raise money for the charity.
He said: “I explained to Franklen what the charity was all about and if he committed to riding the 20 miles then he would have to see it through.
“He was really keen so I asked my cousin Nathan, who was Daniel’s best friend, and has raised money for CRY before to join us. I used to live in Bignall End near to Daniel.
“I am a bit older than than him so I knew his dad Dave more than him.” Martin’s route took in China Gardens, Westport Lake, the Harecastle Tunnel and Bathpool, Acres Nooks, Red Bull and Rode Heath. They left the canal at Wheelock and cycled along the pavements to Haslington and then Crewe’s ground.
Family and friends, including Daniel’s mum and dad, Sue and David, were there to meet Franklen, Martin and Nathan, after the four-and-half hour journey. Martin said: “I loved doing the cycle ride with Franklen. It was a really big event and there were ups and downs. But when we finished it was really emotional and I was really proud of him. For a six-year-old to do what he did is unbelievable.” Since Daniel’s death, his parents Sue and David and his sister Kim, have raised more than £250,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young which arranges for young adults to have vital heart screening tests.