Novices get on their bikes to help little Oakley

The friends begged, borrowed and bought bikes to get them on the road and training for the trek, which took over 14 hours to complete.

They rode for little Oakley Parker — a four-month-old boy born with the life-limiting illness.

The team trained three times a week, cycling further and further in their build-up to the marathon ride.

Danny Mitchell (26) was one of the beginner bikers taking up the challenge.

“I don’t really cycle much,” he said. “I had certainly never cycled this distance before. We were all novices, but we trained hard and built up to it.

“It was for a great cause and a great challenge — and I like a good challenge.”

He added: “I bought a bike and a few guys managed to borrow some.

“None of us were really keen cyclists, but I think we will be now.”

The riders left Scunthorpe at at 6am on Saturday, August 5, arriving in Bramley around 14 hours later.

The epic trek has raised £2,200, with more to be collected. 

Money raised will be split between Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The marathon ride was dreamt up by Domino’s area manager Danny Unwin, who proposed a trip stopping at six restaurants he oversees — a distance too far to run.

So the group — former classmates Danny and Danny, Scott Parker, Sam Dooley, Steven Bramhall, Carl Jones, Adam Quinney and Luke Ashton — decided to bike the journey.

Oakley’s mum Sarah Bradley (29) and dad Scott Parker (26), of Bramley Grange Way in Bramley, were “really pleased” to have their pals’ support.

Scott, who also undertook the bike ride, said: “I couldn’t ask for better friends.

“It was a difficult challenge but they were fantastic. I’m very proud of all of them.”

Hospital staff have told Scott that money they receive will go to the cystic fibrosis unit.

He added: “Knowing that the money will go to the unit which looked after Oakley is amazing.

“And the Cystic Fibrosis trust does the research which drives treatment, so I’m very proud to support them too.”

Visit tinyurl.com/tourdeoakley to donate to the riders’ appeal page and see www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk for more information about the charity.