Boy, 7, raises £1,000 for hospital charity

A seven-year-old boy has completed a 248-mile (400km) cycle challenge in aid of a hospital charity.

Oliver, from Bracebridge Heath, near Lincoln, initially set himself a target to complete the distance in 30 days to raise £400 for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, but more than doubled his target with a total of £1,000.

His last ride finished at his football club in Waddington where his teammates cheered him on as he crossed the finish line.

Charity manager Ben Petts described Oliver as "an absolute star".

Talking about the challenge, Oliver said: "I wanted to do this because I enjoy bike riding and have done it since I was three-years-old.

"I wanted to raise money for Lincoln hospital because both me and my sister Halle were born there. I think the doctors, nurses and carers are amazing there.

"I am very proud of myself because I wanted to raise £300 to start with then I thought about changing my target to £400, so I was so happy when my mum and dad told me I had got to £1,000.

Oliver rode several routes around Lincoln and Sleaford as part of the challenge, accompanied by his parents, Alannah and Mark, with his one-year-old sister joining them for a short distance.

Oliver's mum said it was a huge challenge for someone so young.

"We are so proud of him," she added.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity supports staff to deliver care to patients, their families and carers in the county's hospitals.

The money raised by the charity pays for extras, including a sensory room at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital and teddy bears for neonatal units.

Praising Oliver for his efforts, Mr Petts said he was one of the youngest fundraisers to support the charity.

"Congratulations on beating your target Oliver, and we are so grateful for the money for our charity," he added.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.