Siblings get on their bikes for charity cash

A brother and sister have cycled all the way to Paris to raise cash for a new Christie Hospital building without leaving their home in Hayfield.

Ollie and Martha Cottam pedalled 761km in memory of their grandfather Harold to come up with an incredible £2,000... and because they did it by exercise bike at New Mills Road where they live, there was no need to produce their passports.

Ollie, 11 and Martha, eight, began the ride at the start of last month to keep themselves active during lockdown - averaging 14km each day.

They completed the challenge on February 28, with the £2,000 being more than four times their original target. Every penny will help support the building of the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre for High Peak and Cheshire. 

Ollie and Martha wanted to support a local cause related to cancer treatment and care, as their granddad passed away from cancer a few years ago (he had his care in Lincolnshire). 

They chose to support The Christie at Macclesfield project. During their grandad’s illness, which spanned a couple of years, he had incredible care.

Mum Hannah says the children, who are pupils at Hayfield Primary School, are really proud of themselves and have had some amazing messages from local people in the village saying they get treatment from The Christie, which makes it even more relevant and special.

Ollie said: “We are really enjoying raising so much cash for such a good cause, and it’s been great to have so many people supporting us as we go along.”

Martha added: “It’s been brilliant to ride every day knowing it’s for such a good cause, we are really proud of ourselves.”

For anyone who wants to donate the youngsters have a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olliemartha 

l The £26m Christie at Macclesfield will transform cancer care in Cheshire, the High Peak and parts of North Staffordshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 existing Christie patients a year. 

It will bring together essential cancer services into one purpose-built centre delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials. 

Around 40,000 appointments per year will take place at the new centre.

Main image:

PEDAL POWER: Martha and Ollie Cottam raise cash for the new Christie centre in Macclesfield.

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