Three-day scooter ride raises £14k to remember boy

Rachel Liew (right) has set up a charity called Sam's Superheroes in her son's memory

Supplied A street sign saying "Samuel Close" with a woman on the left of the sign, and on the right is Rachel Liew who is on a scooter. They are both wearing a helmet and pink hi vis jacket, and holding a sign saying "Sam's Superheroes" — Rachel Liew (right) has set up a charity called Sam's Superheroes in her son's memory

The mother of a five-year-old boy who died from a rare form of epilepsy has completed a three-day scooter ride, with 17 others, in his memory.

Sam Liew, from Mickleover, in Derby, died from seizures caused by Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) on 8 May 2021.

His mother Rachel Liew said the challenge, from Birmingham to their family home, which took place from Friday to Sunday, was to raise money for FIRES research.

She told BBC Radio Derby on the final day of the challenge they had to battle thunderstorms, but "nothing was going to stop us – I think we would have scooted through a tornado".

Sam's mum said he was kind and articulate

Supplied Sam Liew riding a red scooter, wearing a red helmet, a coat with dinosaurs on, blue gloves and a red helmet — Sam's mum said he was kind and articulate

So far, £14,000 has been raised for Sam's Superheroes - which is to fund research -and Ms Liew said they were going to keep fundraising until they reached the target of £50,000.

The 44-mile (70km) challenge began at Aston University, home of the UK's first and only FIRES research centre, and included overnight stops in Lichfield and Burton in Staffordshire.

Ms Liew was joined on the ride by family, friends, neurologists from Great Ormond Street Hospital, and research fellows from Aston University.

She carried her son's red scooter throughout the challenge.

Ms Liew said they don’t know what causes FIRES and there is no known effective treatment

Supplied At the front of the photo is Rachel Liew on a scooter with a team of people stood behind her. They are at a fire station, and a fire engine is behind the group, who are all wearing either pink, blue or yellow hi vis jackets — Ms Liew said they don’t know what causes FIRES and there is no known effective treatment

She said the rain on Sunday was "torrential" but the group was "so determined".

“We were laughing in the end. We were scooting through rivers on the road. We were wet in places you’d never even think – it was just crazy."

Talking about Sam, Ms Liew said he was a healthy boy before he had his very first seizure, which lasted 35 minutes.

He was put into an induced coma and died seven weeks later.

The 54-year-old said her son loved animals, superheroes, playing with Lego, the outdoors and his red scooter.

“Sam was the most joyful, caring, kind, adventurous, thoughtful, loving, joyful little boy.”

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

Scooter ride for boy who died from rare condition

Event in memory of boy who died from rare seizures

Sam's Superheroes

Mickleover

Three-day scooter ride raises £14k to remember boy

Scooter ride for boy who died from rare condition

Event in memory of boy who died from rare seizures

Sam's Superheroes

Fears over A38 works despite housing growth

Groundsmen receive trip to Lord's for lifetime award

Scooter ride for boy who died from rare condition