August 14, 2015 2.11 pm This story is over 103 months old

Five-year-old Lincoln boy to cycle coast to coast in memory of friend’s mum

Cycling challenge: A family from Lincoln are embarking on an ambitious coast to coast cycle ride for a cancer charity, with one five-year-old boy hoping to enter the record books.
Jack (left) and Sam (right) preparing for their coast to coast bike ride. The cycling equipment has been donated by Cyclesport

A family from Washingborough are embarking on an ambitious coast to coast cycle ride for a cancer charity, with one five-year-old boy hoping to enter the record books.

Clare White, who is the Communications Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, is about to head up to Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast with her husband Tim, five-year-old son Sam and one-year-old daughter Bethany, who will enjoy the ride on the back of one of the bikes.

They will be joined for the gruelling 86 mile journey to Whitley Bay on the east coast by friend Mark Castle and his 10-year-old son, Jack.

The bike ride will raise money for Cancer Research in memory of Jack’s mum Sharleen, who died from ovarian cancer three years ago.

So far £668 has already been pledged, with the group having set themselves a target of £1,000.

If the group complete the ride, they believe that Sam will be the youngest ever person to cycle coast to coast, beating the previous record set by a six-year-old.

Clare said: “Jack lost his mummy to ovarian cancer when he was seven and he and Sam have talked for a while about doing something to raise some money for charity, so because the boys love cycling we decided to plan a trip across England.

“We are completing the ride over seven days to ensure the journey will be manageable for the boys.

“I’m so proud – I can’t think of any other little boys who would set off on such a challenge!”

To support Sam and his family, visit their JustGiving page.