Carlisle teenager to ride round Britain in memory of his dad

By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 10:30, Saturday, 20 September 2008

Carlisle student Danny Middlewood will ride nearly 1,800 miles to commemorate the father he lost to cancer just four months ago.

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Adventure: The trio are riding from Carlisle to Lands End to John O’Groats and home again to raise money for cancer charities

Sixteen-year-old Danny and two of his pals will ride their 50cc motorbikes from Carlisle to Lands End to John O’Groats in Scotland and home again to raise funds for cancer charities.

Danny said: “Because the bikes are only 50cc it is illegal to ride them on the motorways, so we have to go on the A roads. It’s going to be pretty eventful!”

As an only child, Danny and his father Tim were close. After being diagnosed in February at just 45 years old, Tim was given between six months and a year to live.

“But he lasted only three months. He went really fast – he meant a lot to me,” Danny said.

Now living with stepmother Wendy on Warwick Road, the Trinity School A-Level student is determined to remember his father in a positive way.

He said: “My dad was mad on bikes right through his life, so I thought this would be a really nice way to remember him. You can’t fight the past but you can look to the future.”

Danny will be joined on the 1,793-mile ride by fellow Trinity pupils, Daniel Knight and Martin Shaw, both 16.

Plans for the journey are well under way.

“The bikes are pretty much ready, we are cleaning them up and getting them sorted. Normally I just use my bike for getting round town or seeing my girlfriend who lives in Hallbankgate,” said Danny.

“I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m really looking forward to it. It will be great to raise a bit of money, raise awareness and have some fun too.”

The ride will take eight days and the intrepid trio will set off on October 26 providing they can raise the £1,200 needed for their fuel and accommodation in time.

“We wanted to do it at this time of year because if we did it in summer it would be warm and pleasant – that’s the challenge.

“The winds and rains are going to be difficult. We’re just going to have to wrap up warm and hope for the best.

“But the worst thing about doing this will be that your bum gets really sore! And Daniel has a scooter which has a top speed of just 45mph – it’s going to be interesting,” said Danny.

To sponsor the boys’ journey, visit www.justgiving.com/longwayupanddown or donate at Trinity School’s reception.

The money raised will be split between Breast Cancer and Cancer Research charities.