Charity cyclists hit road for tot Charlie
ABAND of courageous cyclists have raised more than £15,000 after completing a gruelling charity bike ride.
Eight riders set off from Carnoustie, in Scotland, and made the 400 mile journey to Macclesfield in honour of toddler Charlie Walton.
Charlie, who lives on Brynton Road with his mum Fiona and dad Andy, was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called MEP Duplication Syndrom in January this year.
The condition, which affects around 150 people in the world, means Charlie is still unable to crawl, walk or talk and could shorten his life considerably.
The team - which included Charlie’s dad Andy and uncle Simon Goodwin - rode from the home of Blake McMillan, another little boy who has the same condition, back to Macclesfield.
All the money raised will now go to fund research into the disease, which they hope will lead to its reversal.
Simon said it was one of the hardest things he has ever done.
The former Fallibroome Academy pupil said: “I am just about recovered. It was harder than I thought, I never knew it was going to be this tough. The most I had ever ridden before was 40 miles. I was so tired after the first day and I knew we had to go out again the next for another 79 miles. Day three was the toughest day, we climbed over 9,500 ft and covered 85 miles.”
Despite the hundreds of miles, Simon said it was only possible because of the group that took part.
He said: “It was about being part of such a great team. We were all basically novice riders apart from a few of us who had done these kinds of challenges before. There was such a great rapport with the team we all helped each other and we all knew what we were there to do and we did it.”
Simon added: “In Macclesfield I could hear the cheering before we even arrived, just seeing everybody was unbelievable”
Charlie’s mum, Fiona Walton, was part of the support team who followed the riders every step of the way.
She told the Express they set out with a target of just £5,000 and they have been overwhelmed by the support people have shown.
She said: “It was fantastic. It has just gone off the scale as more riders took part. They each raised about £800, so I think it really touched people’s hearts. Half of the riders had never met Charlie, me, or his dad, Andy. They just heard about it and they did it.”