A dad from Abingdon is taking on a mega-cycling challenge in memory of his two-year-old son who tragically died of cancer last year.
Luke Afford will be cycling 360 miles in four days to raise money for the charities that have supported his family.
His son Archie was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2020 at just four months old.
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He endured rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and three bone marrow transplants but passed away on July 7 last year.
Mr Afford has already smashed the initial fundraising target of £2,500 and has raised nearly £6,000 for charity.
If you would like to donate, you can access Archie’s fundraiser here.
The money raised will be split between Ronald McDonald House Charities, Young Lives vs Cancer, Helen and Douglas House, the Rhys Daniels Trust and the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.
Mr Afford’s wife Rosie said: “These charities have all helped us in some way, either during Archie’s treatment or after he died.
“Ronald McDonald House provided us with three months of accommodation while Archie was having treatment in Manchester.
“They put us up free of charge for that period of time which was an enormous help financially.
“Young Lives vs Cancer provided us with a social worker after Archie was first diagnosed who gave us so much support.
“They also helped us with applications for a disability allowance.
“Helen and Douglas House provided us with a lot of emotional support after Archie was offered palliative care.”
She added: “Archie made a really big impact on everyone that he met.
“We wanted to continue that through raising money in his memory.”
Mr Afford will be cycling all the way from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, with a night stop along the way.
He will then head to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington before cycling to the Bristol Children’s Hospital on the final day of the challenge.
The hospitals all provided Archie with support and treatment for his leukaemia.
Mr Afford will start the challenge next month on September 1.
Mrs Afford explained that this was the first time he had taken on a cycling challenge of this nature.
She said: “Luke has never done anything like this before.
“It will be pushing him completely out of his comfort zones.
“One of the consultants that treated Archie in Manchester will be joining Luke on the first day of the challenge and his dad who is turning 61 this month is determined to do the final day.”
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