An Earby woman is riding the length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal next month to raise much needed funds for a critically ill East Lancashire boy.
Charlotte Brigden (20), of Albion Street, Earby, and her friend and work colleague Ellie O’Donnell (22), from Burnley, are riding 127 miles on September 1st for the Sam Shaw Appeal.
The duo, who work at Urban Altitude in Colne, are planning to set off from Liverpool Docks at 6am and finish between 12 and 14 hours later in Leeds.
Sam Shaw, who is four years old, lives in Hoddlesden and was diagnosed with high risk stage four neuroblastoma in January, a highly aggressive form of childhood cancer at an advanced stage.
For his best chance of survival, Sam’s oncologist at Manchester Children’s Hospital has recommended that Sam receives immunotherapy treatment, but that will cost £250,000 and means a trip to the US.
Charlotte said: “We don’t know the family but I think we both felt we should do something. It was an idea we came up with when it was quiet at work.
“We’re doing training and we will have a support team with us on the day. I think we’re a bit nervous. The one month to go mark has passed and I think we have quickly realised how difficult it is going to be.
“Wicked Cycles in Colne have kindly sponsored us and given us equipment as well as giving us a few lessons on how to change an inner tube and repair a bike chain.”
To sponsor the pair, visit their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/127MileChallengeForSamShaw.