Three year old cycles 100 miles for Oxford charity

Freddie from Carterton was inspired after his Grandad's cancer treatment at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Freddie finishing his 100 mile cycle challenge
Author: Andrea FoxPublished 2nd Apr 2024
Last updated 2nd Apr 2024

Freddie from Carterton is only three years old, but set himself an epic challenge to cycle 100 miles in March to raise money to help local cancer patients.

Last November Freddie's beloved ‘Grampy’ Peter also from Carterton was diagnosed with mouth cancer and had surgery and a long stay in the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Freddie’s Mum Kathryn told us: “Every day Freddie wanted to know when his Grampy was coming home to play and be silly with him - and we told him that the doctors at the hospital were busy getting him better.”

“When his Grampy came home from hospital Freddie wanted to head straight to check to him. We explained that he would look a bit different, but he’s taken everything in his stride and was quickly asking Grampy to play superheroes and hide and seek.

“My dad has just completed a six-week course of radiotherapy and it’s tough, but he’s keeping his sense of humour, and Freddie always makes him smile, ”

“And Freddie asks every day if Grampy is getting better, so we thought a challenge may help him to feel like he’s doing something to help. Even at three years old he understands that he can make a difference, which is really special.

“Despite his age, Freddie recently started riding his bike without stabilisers, and he’s getting really good. So he decided that bike riding would be a great challenge and he is excited to get started and raise money to help others like his Grampy.

“The plan is that he will cycle every day through March with the aim of reaching 100 miles! We are really proud of him – he has cycled 89.6 miles so far and amazed that he has already raised over £3000, which is incredible!”

Freddie and Grampy Peter

The family have chosen to support Oxford Hospitals Charity as Peter has been cared for by staff at the Churchill Hospital - specifically the intensive care unit, haematology team and radiology departments.

Lorna Eaton, part of the Supporter Care Team at Oxford Hospitals Charity said; “What a superstar Freddie is. He clearly loves his Grampy very much and is doing such an amazing challenge to fundraise for the charity that looks after his Grampy.

Freddie finishing his 100 mile challenge

“We wish him every success with his fundraising and look forward to receiving updates.”

On Easter Monday Freddie was been invited to go to Oxford United to cycle around the side of the pitch. His Grampy is a huge Oxford United fan and is apparently ‘made up’ as Freddie’s mum has said.

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