Furniture store becomes race track for charity challenge
PEOPLE usually head to Arighi Bianchi to browse furniture or enjoy a leisurely lunch.
But 10-year-old George Mathias and his pals turned the entire furniture store into a race track for a charity challenge.
George, who was joined by his six-year-old brother James and cousins Sam and Lucy Roberts, headed to Arighi’s as part of George’s ongoing challenge in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity, which supports the hospital which cared for George’s brother James when he was poorly.
George is running a mile for every month of his brother’s life – which adds up to a whopping 75 miles.
Nick Bianchi, director of Arighi’s and a family friend, welcomed the little runners for the charity challenge.
He said: “George is a rather special young man. He’s raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity as a thank you for saving his little brother’s life, running a mile for every month he’s had with six-year-old James. That’s 75 miles and counting!
“I was delighted to help with a fun-run round the store and a full English breakfast in our café bar at the end of it.”
George’s mum, Sue Mathias, said: “It was lovely of Arighi’s to open up early on a Sunday morning to let George have a run. They even got to have a quick rest in the bed department.
“We’re so proud of what George is doing and it’s a wonderful way to say thank you to Alder Hey.
“All our friends and family are behind him and it’s been lots of fun thinking about where we can race to next.”
The furniture store was the latest in a long line of miles already completed by George, who has been joined by Olympic swimmer Fran Halsall, Coronation Street actress Samia Longchambon and former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher on previous runs.
To donate go to runwithgeorge.com.