Leeds school friends raise cash for cancer cause

When Richard Goldberg died from the disease in 2012 his son James set himself, and his pals, the challenge of raising money for Cancer Research UK through a series of gruelling bike rides.

The famous five, comprising James, Ollie Walton, Finlay Bruce, Benji Ambler and Adam Best first got on their bikes in 2014, cycling the 127 miles along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

They followed that up earlier this year with the Way of the Roses, a 179 mile coast to coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington.

The boys have been supported by family and friends as well as local businesses such as Manning Stainton. Colleagues from the company’s Moortown branch met up with them recently to hear about their adventures.

Sales negotiator Kiran Ryat said: “The circumstances behind the bike rides are incredibly sad but through their amazing efforts they have ensured Richard’s memory lives on.”

The boys are now considering another challenge in 2018.

James, 13, of north Leeds, said: “We would love to cycle from London to Paris so we are looking into whether it is possible. Our ultimate goal is to raise £100,000 which we think would be a great achievement and something that my dad would be really proud of, especially knowing that it goes towards helping other cancer sufferers and their families.”

James recently received the Special Recognition Award in the 13 to 18 age group at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards. In 2014 he was named the Cancer Research UK Young Volunteer of the Year.