Burntwood boy, 11, completes epic 1,000-mile bike challenge
Jamie Chance has cycled more than 1,000 miles and raised £2,150 towards providing helmets for a future Burntwood pump track
An 11-year-old Burntwood boy has completed an epic 1,000-mile bike challenge, raising more than £2,000 to support the campaign for a local pump track.
Jamie Chance completed his challenge at the end of August, finishing with a final 26-mile ride around Cannock, Penkridge, Pye Green and Hednesford before returning to his home in Burntwood.
His final 17 miles included several uphill sections, adding to the challenge, and he eventually clocked up 1,010 miles in total.
There was one final twist when Jamie suffered a puncture during the last mile. He finished the journey by running home with his bike in tow, where his parents were waiting with a makeshift finish line, party poppers, 'well done' signs and a personalised engraved medal.
Jamie began the challenge in May, taking on the miles to challenge himself while raising money to buy helmets for users of the planned Burntwood pump track.
So far, he has raised £2,150 and hopes to distribute the helmets at a future pump track open day.
The fundraising is part of a community campaign to get a pump track built in Burntwood, which has been running for three years.
The campaign recently reached a milestone after funding was granted in principle, with attention now turning to the council to deliver the project.
Jamie has supported the campaign through a number of fundraising efforts, including a garden sale and tombolas at his local park and school.
The 1,000-mile challenge is not Jamie's first long-distance cycling fundraiser.
When he was five, he rode 150 miles in a month and raised money for Rheumatoid Arthritis UK. At eight, he cycled more than 350 miles in a month and raised £600 for a local dog rescue, helping to pay for an operation for an injured dog.
His family said the challenges had helped Jamie develop resilience and confidence and encouraged him to take on new challenges.
Jamie takes part in BMX and mountain bike racing and is a keen cyclist.
His parents said they were “unbelievably proud” of what he had achieved.
Jamie has thanked everyone who has supported his latest challenge and donated to his fundraising.
The family is continuing to raise money for the cause, you can support them here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachel-sarahstackhouse