12-year-old Sunderland AFC fans complete 160-mile charity cycle for Bradley Lowery Foundation
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Two inspiring young fundraisers have taken on their biggest challenge yet as they cycled 160 miles from Manchester to Sunderland in support of a North East charity.
Isaac O’Connor and Jack Elliot cycled from Old Trafford, in Manchester, to the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, to raise money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
The pair, accompanied by their dads, embarked on the five-day ride to raise funds for the Foundation, which supports families affected by childhood cancer and other serious illnesses.
Isaac and Jack have been supporters of the Foundation for several years, raising thousands of pounds through a variety of fundraising challenges.
Jack, 12, said: “It feels sereal and I am very proud of myself and everyone because it was such a massive achievement – and such a difficult challenge.”
Isaac, also 12, added: “It feels amazing. It’s something I’ll always be proud of because it really pushed me both physically and mentally.”
It took the boys five days to cycle, averaging around 30 miles a day.
Jack said: “After the second day, I knew there were still so many miles coming up. I was so tired from not sleeping so well as we were camping.
"But we all regrouped and had a chat and remembered that although this felt so hard to complete, how hard must it have been for Bradley and his family.
"This helped me find the strength to push through and complete it.”
Through their sponsored bike ride, Jack and Isaac have already raised £4,237.
Isaac said: “The hardest part was coming over North Yorkshire, and after the first night, I really questioned whether I could keep going because the first day was the longest and had taken a lot out of me.
"But it was easy to refocus when I thought about who we were doing it for and the reason behind the challenge.
"That gave me all the motivation I needed to keep pedalling.”
Brooke Mitchell, fundraising and family support worker at the Bradley Lowery Foundation, said: “The commitment Isaac and Jack have shown is nothing short of remarkable.
"To take on a 160-mile bike ride at just 12-years-old just shows how kind-hearted and caring both boys truly are.”
Donations to their Just Giving page can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/isaac-oconnor-5.