Inspired by Captain Tom to birthday bike challenge
FINN, 10, CYCLES 100 LAPS (SOME WITH PANTS ON HIS HEAD)
WHEN 10-year-old Finn Bissett saw Captain Tom Moore walk 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday for the NHS, he decided he wanted to raise money for charity too.
Finn, who lives in Ealing Common and is a Christ the Saviour Church of England Primary School pupil, is currently at home and was wondering what he would do to celebrate his 10th birthday on May 11.
Usually he would spend it with his friends but he said, since that wasn’t going to be possible this year, he’d like to spend it helping others instead.
“I saw Captain Tom Moore on the news and it got me thinking as my birthday was coming up,” Finn explained.
“I heard about his charity fundraising and I thought ‘why don’t I do that’ because I can’t hang out with my friends on my birthday, so I’ll raise some money for the NHS instead.”
Finn is cycling 100 laps on his ‘Bike Round the Block’ challenge on Monday to raise money for the London North West Hospitals Trust (LNWH).
The Trust includes Northwick Park, St Mark’s Ealing, and Central Middlesex Hospital, Meadow House Hospice, and other essential community services.
Finn’s challenge takes him around West Lodge Avenue and Hart Grove, near Ealing Common. Finn expects it to take him between four and five hours, with 10-minute hourly breaks plus a few challenge rounds.
His friends have challenged him to do things like paint his face blue for one lap and ride along with underpants on his head for another lap, so he’ll do those towards the end of his ride.
“I’m feeling quite nervous and happy because my friends on the block are going to cheer me on,” Finn said when asked about the day ahead.
“I think a lot of people are cheering - three or four of my friends live on the block and they’re going to come out and watch and that will mean a lot to me. It will really help motivate me.
Finn has already managed to raise £2,619, well over his target of £100, and he believes he’s got a fair amount of local support after his parents, Aimee and Ryan Bissett, emailed everyone they know and made flyers to post in local houses.
When asked why he’s chosen to raise the money for LNWH specifically, Finn said that it’s helped his family immensely in the past.
“It’s because they’ve already helped my family through tough times because when my grandma was really ill they helped her stay alive for a lot longer,” he said.
“They’ve helped a lot of my family actually. My cousin was born there and they helped my auntie too. “He trained hard for the fundraiser. “I’ve done loads and loads of cycling,” he explained.
“My dad took me on very long bike rides to Chiswick and then going into London.
“I also really love sports, I also like rugby, hockey, netball, basketball and football. For my birthday I got a football goal from mum and dad and have been doing lots of that.
“I’m missing school a lot because my friends are there and I can learn a lot more easily at school.
Finn’s mother, Aimee, added: “This challenge means a lot to Finn and he’s so thrilled about doing something for others. It’s given him quite a purpose.
“He’s really missing school and that sense of community. These kids haven’t been able to articulate how hard this has been.
“But now I can really see with him that feeling like your part of something motivates you to keep going.”
Donate at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/finnbissett