A BARNARD Castle teenager has cycled more than 100 miles and raised £1,200 to help find a cure for dementia.
William Gibbons embarked on a bike ride in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of his grandad Pete who suffered with dementia before he passed away.
He said: “I’d read about how many people have Alzheimer’s in England alone. This made me want to go out and do the bike ride.
“The disease happens so often to so many people and I don’t want anyone to be cursed with this horrid disease.”
The 14-year-old rugby player and gym fanatic only took up cycling a couple of years ago but managed to ride 103 miles in two days with the support of his father, Steven, and family friend Chris Mellor, who joined them on the second day.
On Saturday, August 4, William, who attends Barnard Castle School, cycled from his home in Barnard Castle to Yarm and covered 68 miles in four hours and 36 minutes.
The second route on Monday, August 6, took him from Barnard Castle to Eggleston, Staindrop and Darlington before returning to the town. He completed this 35-mile route in two hours and 23 minutes.
William said: “The first ride was really good because my dad had planned it out really well. The majority of it was really flat.
“The second was good but we set off in the afternoon. We had a problem with traffic leaving the town. It was also really windy and hilly until we got to a certain point. The second ride was harder than the first.”
William was welcomed home on the Monday evening by cheers from family members.
Having set a fundraising target of £950, he has raised £1,285 so far.
A donation of £10 is enough to buy 100 microscope slides and £50 could fund two hours worth of dementia research.
He said: “I am really pleased with how much I’ve raised. Hopefully in the close future Alzheimer’s can be cured.”
This isn’t William’s first charitable deed.
When he was just ten he also raised £699 for Diabetes UK by taking part in a triathlon.
Mum Sam said: “We are very proud of what William has done.”
William added: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me.
“Knowing I had all of that support kept me motivated. It means a lot to so many people who have this horrible disease. It will change someone’s life.”
William is now gearing up for his next charity event. He is hoping to cycle to France on a spin bike.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/william-gibbons.
