Young and old use pedal power in memory of Alfie

Thornton grandad Cyril Holland, 55, and his grandson Alfie Holland, four, took part in tandem cycling challenges in memory of young Alfie Fleming who died from meningitis in 2014.

The two-year-old tot, from Thornton, lost his life to the deadly infection just hours after doctors sent him home with a suspected stomach bug.

Cyril, who lives on Linden Avenue, took on the epic 1,000-mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats, spanning the entire length of Great Britain, with friend Allan Gooch from May 21 to June 3.

Meanwhile, Alfie and his schoolmates from St Teresa’s School on St George’s Avenue, Cleveleys, where Alfie Fleming attended nursery, cycled sponsored laps of the playground for every mile completed.

The pair raised more than £4,000 for the charity Meningitis Now, which funds vital vaccine research and raise awareness of the disease’s symptoms, and Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of Cyril and Allan’s former cycling buddy Jamie Hughes, who died from the disease in his early 50s in May 2014.

Housing association worker Cyril said: “Allan and I were delighted to use our bike ride from Lands’ End to John O’ Groats to raise money for two worthwhile charities.

“The links to St Teresa’s Parish and School and the opportunity to support both great causes was all the encouragement we needed.

“We didn’t put a target on the amount of money we wanted to raise.

“We would have been happy if we had made £1,000.

“The amount of support we have received from family and friends, the church and the school has been very humbling and we were overwhelmed by it all.

“I feel a sense of achievment and I’m pleased we were able to raise quite a bit of money for both charities.”

Suzanne Pinkett, teacher at St Teresa’s School, said: “Alfie was such a happy little boy always full of fun and smiles. The children and team of St Teresa’s School and Nursery supported Cyril’s and Allan’s bike ride with the children matching them lap for every mile around our school trundle track and play area.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to raise funds and awareness of both meningitis and pancreatic cancer in a fun way and generate lots of lovely smiles that reminded us of Alfie.”