Harry on right lines as his epic Tube trail raises £1,100
A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE boy has raised more than £1,000 for an autism charity by riding on every line of the London Underground.
Harry Akers, 12, embarked on the challenge along with his dad on April 2. It took the Trowell duo four hours and 42 minutes, and also incorporated the Overground and the Cloud Cable Car.
Harry, who has autism, said the goal was to “support other children like me and people like me in general”.
“I wanted to help other people,” he said.
The self-professed train fan, who knows all the London Tube routes, added: “It wasn’t too hard but we had to make a few diversions. I was quite nervous for the cable car but it turned out to be OK. It’s very good that I’m getting to support other children like me and people like me in general.”
Dad Matthew, 56, a finance worker, said: “One day he turned round to us and said ‘I’ve got all the support I need, but I know lots of people don’t’. He’d got this idea already in his head. He came up with the idea and planned it all out.
“It went very smoothly. On the Tube there weren’t many people paying attention but a couple of people asked and things like that.”
Harry raised almost £1,100 for Autism East Midlands. “He was expecting to raise £100 but he’s got over £1,000. He’s chuffed to bits – he’s absolutely delighted,” said Matthew.
In an article on its website, Autism East Midlands said: “We’d like to extend a massive thank you to Harry and his dad Matthew for their incredible dedication and support to our cause.”
So what’s Harry’s next challenge? Matthew says he’s looked into the possibility of visiting every station, which would take about 18 hours. “He thinks it’s doable but we’re not quite ready for it.”
To donate to Harry’s fundraiser, visit his Justgiving page (search Harry Akers).