A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy cycled 62 miles to raise money for Farleigh Hospice at the charity's annual Cycle for Life event.
Patrick Frost was one of just 826 riders who between them have pledged to raise £56,500 in sponsorship money for the hospice, which needs nearly £8,000 a day to operate.
The cycling spectacular began at the hospice, next door to Broomfield Hospital, and saw 338 people complete the 50k route, 191 people choose the shorter 20k route, and 297 opting for the testing 100k ride, which included parts of the Tour de France route through Essex.
Patrick joined his dad Craig to raise money as a thank you to the hospice for the care they provided for his granddad.
"He was an absolute star," said Craig of his son. "My dad passed away at Farleigh a few years ago and they were great, so we have tried to take part in the cycle race every year.
"This year, Pat wanted to do the longer route, and we didn't actually ask anyone for sponsorship before we did it because we didn't know how far we would get. I had my wife ready all day to pick us up from wherever we stopped, but we did the whole thing.
"I was proud as punch. For a ten-year-old to do that and keep going, it's brilliant."
The annual event makes a huge difference to the hospice, as well as the patients and families for whom it cares.
Cheryl Bunkle, Farleigh spokeswoman, said: "This was the first time we've introduced a route as challenging as the 100km option and we were all amazed by Patrick, who completed it with his dad. Whatever the age and ability of our cyclists – we are proud and grateful to each and every one of them.
"We are absolutely delighted that so many people turned up to Cycle for Life for Farleigh Hospice on Sunday.
"Whether it's inside patients' own homes, in our day hospices, inpatient unit, clinics, our information service or the essential work of our adult and child bereavement teams, the £56,500 our fabulous cyclists pledged to raise will make a difference to the patients and families for whom Farleigh Hospice cares.
"The weather was great and the atmosphere was buzzing as people arrived to start their chosen route between 8.30am and 11.30am. Once again we offered the opportunity for people to just turn up and register on the day and around 160 people took advantage of this."
The event is growing in popularity, attracting an additional 63 people on last year's event.
