Captain Tom inspires Alice’s amazing cycle challenge

Alice Rowe has been helping to support the animals at Freshfields Animal Rescue in Formby, as she cycled 100 laps (33.3 miles) around Hilldale Park in just two and a half weeks.

Having only learned to ride a bike last year, it was Alice’s own idea to cycle for charity after learning about Captain Tom during homeschool.

Mum Laura said: “She had a lesson on Captain Tom to get the message across about what he did, how he raised so much money and how he’s going to be remembered.

“I think originally it was more of a challenge for herself but then she just loves animals so much that she wanted to help animals too.

“She only wanted to raise £100 but the final total came to £2,876.96.”

Laura said Alice is really happy when she goes to bed at night because she knows the animals are safe and warm like she is because of what she’s done.

She added: “Alice had good days and bad days. She did up to 13 laps in one day but on another she came off her bike and went over the handlebars - she had a black eye and a cut chin. I tried to tell her to have a rest day every now and again but she wasn’t having any of it. She went down every day and did what she could.”

For Alice, it was the messages of support from family, friends and strangers which meant as much to her as the donations did - including proud dad Steve and brothers George and Jack, who cheered her on all the way.

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