‘He just loves being outside’ – Therfield cyclist Toby, 8, to ride 70km for pancreatic cancer charity
Toby Howard-Jones is set to bike ride for Pancreatic Cancer UK. - Credit: Archant
A caring schoolboy cyclist from Therfield is to get on his bike to help his family’s charity fundraising effort.
Elliot Howard-Jones with son Toby. - Credit: Archant
Toby Howard-Jones, eight, is to take on an ambitious ride of at least 70km Essex on Saturday.
His dad Elliot, who himself is an keen cyclist and will ride along side his son, told the Crow how Toby put himself forward to take on the challenge.
“My wife Larraine is running the London Marathon for pancreatic cancer, so Toby said he wanted to help raise money to help her reach her £2,500 target.” said Elliot.
“He’s been cycling since he was three years old so he is really good at it.”
Toby and Elliot regularly go on bike rides. - Credit: Archant
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Last year Toby – who attends St John’s College School in Cambridge – cycled 50km at once, so dad Elliot thinks tackling the 70km route shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for young Toby.
NHS regional director Elliot thinks his son could even surpass this to clock up about 100km.
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“He enjoys doing it, he just loves being outside and doing any kind of sport, especially cycling and football,” he said.
And Toby clearly takes after his active parents. When Mum Larraine is not working as the head of HR for the National Insitute for Health and Care Excellence, she is usually out running – regularly taking part in the 5km Wimpole parkrun on Saturdays.
Toby with mum Larraine, who are raising money for pancreatic cancer. - Credit: Archant
For the London Marathon she will be running for Pancreatic Cancer UK as her friend’s brother died from the disease, and it has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer.
As many as 93 per cent of people diagnosed with the disease die within five years.
How far Toby will cycle depends upon the weather, road conditions and the strength left in his legs – but his parents say they are extremely proud.
The Knights Templar Compasses and Cross event in Witham starts at 10am, and Toby has eight hours and 45 minutes to complete the ride – including rests and snacks.
It’s part of a series of event the Howard-Jones’ are undertaking in their drive to raise as much for Pancreatic Cancer UK as possible. Go to www.justgiving.com and search ‘Toby Howard-Jones’ for Toby’s fundraising page and ‘Larraine Howard-Jones’ for his mum’s.
