Six-year-old sets himself a 50-mile cycling challenge inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore

Ruaridh Marley, known as Ru, from Longhoughton, took on a cycling challenge last month to raise money for the North East Ambulance Service.

After watching Captain Sir Tom’s 100th birthday challenge, the six-year-old was inspired to do his own and set about cycling 50 miles with the help of parents Katrina and Tim.

Ru hoped to raise £1 per mile, but just four days in smashed his £50 target, with £1,180 raised so far and donations still welcomed.

Katrina said: “Obviously he’s quite young but he’s done a few five-mile cycles with us and loves it.

“With Captain Tom doing his challenge, he said he wanted to do something too and was adamant he wanted to raise money for the NHS.

“Tim volunteers with the coastguard and knows a few paramedics from there, Ru has a friend from school who’s dad is a paramedic, plus we have a community first responder and a girl who works for NEAS practically on our doorstep so we thought NEAS seemed like a great choice.

“He’s so pleased to have raised so much money already and obviously me and his dad are immensely proud of him.”

NEAS’s Charitable Fund generally uses donations to recruit and support its volunteers and fund life-saving equipment, such as defibrillators for local communities.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, it is looking at providing additional resources to support development, health and wellbeing of staff.

Douglas Taylor, who chairs the charitable fund committee, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support from Ru and his family, and for the donations already made to his Justgiving page so early on in his challenge.

“We appreciate any contributions from members of the public, no matter how small, and we will ensure that the funds raised will be used to recognise the significant contribution of the NEAS staff and volunteers during these difficult times and to help improve facilities for staff in the future.”

To support Ru’s Many Miles in May challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruaridhmarley

For more about NEAS’s Charitable Fund, visit https://www.neas.nhs.uk/get-involved/making-a-donation.aspx or email [email protected]

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