Archie was diagnosed with DIPG (a terminal brain tumour) in February 2021 following a MRI in November 2020 for an unrelated illness. At the time he was symptom free, but underwent 30 courses of Radiotherapy at UCLH to reduce the tumour size. In June 2021 we received promising results that the tumour was not detected on the latest MRI, but was advised it would likely return. Archie started school in September 2021, learnt to swim and enjoyed everything he took part in.

He had another clear scan, but in Feb 2022 it started to progress and had returned. Still symptom free he had a further 10 courses of Radiotherapy, and carried on with school and also learnt to ride a bike. At the end of August 2022 Archie started to show slight symptoms, having some trouble with swallowing and further MRI showed further progression. No more treatments were possible, but he continued to play and learn with his happy smile.

Unfortunately he was unable to continue with school after October half-term as his walking and speech were starting to be affected, but we were able to carry on with days out and enjoying time together. It wasn't until 31st December 2022, that he was no longer able to swallow himself and had to go on a NG tube. He also had limited use of his right side, but still told us what he wanted, especially when it came to Pokemon...

On 7th January 2023 our family started staying at Little Havens Childrens Hospice, as Archie had deteriorated further and with their amazing help we were able to spend time with him using their facilities. It was only on his last day that he was unable to leave his bed, and sadly passed on 26th January 2023.

Throughout this time we received so much help from various charities helping us as a family enjoy time together, many of which have been started up by parents who's child had also died from the same disease. I was humbled by how much people have helped and how Archie just carried on without any self pity, and want to return this in someway by riding my bike, which Archie loved to be taken about on. I also made a promise to him to do the best I can, so have been training to do as many charity bike rides as possible.

Please donate what you can to either of the charities, the below links take you to my individual fundraising pages : -

Young Lives vs Cancer

Abbies Army

Unbeatable EVA

Torbay Holiday Helpers Network

Thumbs up for Charlie

Make-A-Wish UK

Gold Geese

Little Havens

1st Planned Charity Bike Ride - London to Southend 16th July 2023 ***COMPLETED***

Edinburgh to Southend (Leith to Leigh) April 15th 2024 over 7 days

I had looked at some rides like London to Paris etc, but almost all require signing up to just one charity. I also wanted to do something more relevant, and driving back from Edinburgh to Southend via York was one of our last trips with Archie. One of my friends has kindly offered to provide vehicle support, so will need to do plenty of planning.

I've also created some social media feeds, so please share. Archie had a little duck on my bike when we went out, so I'm taking it with me on my rides and sharing pictures and videos. The QR links to the justgiving page, so hopefully will get some scans.

Social Media Links for @ArchiesDuck

Thankyou for reading, please share x

Edinburgh to Southend completed :) Legs aching but hoping will help raise more. Thinking up next ride to do but thankyou all for donations so far xxx

2025 - TBC Hoping to do the Wolf Way in Suffolk!!! Maybe a long weekend self supported. In training with duck :)