Wheels in motion for teen’s charity challenge
ATEENAGER will cycle nearly 250 miles to raise money for the MS Society in memory of his grandad - who lost his life to the condition aged just 38.
Oliver Smyth, 17, a sixth form pupil at Fallibroome Academy, will pedal from Macclesfield to Edinburgh and sets off on September 12.
He is aiming to raise £1,250 for the MS Society, a charity that provides support for people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.
His grandad Peter Dagnall died from the chronic illness when Oliver’s mum was just 11. So although he never met his grandad it is a cause close to his heart.
The huge challenge - he intends to make the journey all in one go - does not daunt Oliver as he is a member of cycling club Macclesfield Wheelers.
He said: “I’m confident in my physical fitness, it is the mental side to keep going.
“On an 18-hour journey the biggest problem is eating enough although there may be sores from that long in the saddle.
“My grandad had MS and from the age of nine my mum saw him deteriorate but how he showed fighting spirit and kept going as much as he could.
“So it means a massive amount. We want to raise awareness and help the MS Society provide the support that wasn’t there for my mum.”
Oliver, who
lives
in
Tytherington with his mum, brother and sister, has been stepping up his training for the past five months.
He has been cycling up to 120 miles to get used to longer distances.
Although people will meet him at various points on the route to deliver supplies he will be cycling solo with no support vehicle.
Oliver, who hopes to study medicine at university after A levels, explained why the cause he is raising money for is so important.
He said: “Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves. With more than 100,000 people suffering from MS in the UK alone.
“This condition is progressive and debilitating for those living with MS.
“There is lots of research being carried out into possible treatments and remedies however without continued financial support this cannot be continued.”
Anyone wishing to donate can visit https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ollie-smyth1.