AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has led a group of youngsters on a charity cycle to raise funds for ‘superhero’ staff at the Oxford hospice that cared for his dad.

Ben Oliver, from Didcot, organised the 11-mile sponsored summer cycle with 11 children and six adults, after learning that part of Helen & Douglas House was shutting due to financial problems.

His dad Matthew visited Douglas House during the six months before he died in June 2013 after fighting a grade four brain tumour, which he was diagnosed with in 2010.

The Magdalen Road adult care centre was forced to close last month as the cash-strapped East Oxford charity struggled to ensure the future of its sister hospice for babies and children, Helen House.

Ben’s mum Stephanie Beal said: “When we heard the sad news that Douglas House was closing, Ben was quite upset, as that is where he spent the last few months with his dad before Matthew passed away in 2013.

“Ben and Madison Smale, one of his closest friends, came to me with the idea of doing a sponsored bike ride for the charity.”

She said she was proud of the group, adding: “Not many of the children who took part got to meet Ben’s dad, so it was overwhelming for Ben that so many people took part and wanted to help this amazing charity in memory of Matthew.”

The youngest cyclist was just six but all completed the ride in just over two hours.

The cycle on May 20 started at the Helen & Douglas House shop in Didcot, and the cyclists pedalled through Sutton Courtney to south Abingdon.

There was a stop at Abingdon Rugby Club, then the group rode back the same way to the charity shop.

Ben, who has so far raised more than £400 through the cycle, said: “I wanted to do something special for Douglas House as they helped look after my dad when he was very ill.

“They helped us in so many ways not just my dad but me and the rest of my family too.

“They were by our side at every step. The work they do is super cool and how they make you smile even on bad days is their number one super power.”

He added: “I wanted to do something to show them I have never forgotten the superheroes who took care of us.”

Ben said despite he and his friends feeling as though they were ‘melting’ due to hot temperatures on the day, they spurred each other on.

He said: “We did it as a team, like Helen & Douglas House. We had a great time and want to do it again next year”

A Match4Matty football game in memory of Mr Oliver was also held at Didcot’s Brasenose Park on Saturday to raise money for the hospice.

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