A COVENTRY dad whose son died at the age of 13 cycled 680 miles in nine days, visiting all 20 football Premier League grounds to raise funds for charity.
David Cowen was accompanied by four of his friends for the ride in memory of Rhys who lost his short battle with Rhabdomyo Sarcoma on June 17, 2020.
Funds raised by the team, which also included Pete Jaynes, Steve Widdowson, Bob Pinfold and Allan Cummings, will go to the ‘Raising the Hope of Young Stars’ charity set up in Rhys’ memory.
Rhys was very active and enjoyed watching and playing multiple sports.
He supported Coventry City FC and played junior football for Christ the King FC.
Rhys’ dying wish was that his dad would raise cash to help other children and their families facing cancer with the funding going towards providing special days out for them.
The Raising the Hopes of Young Stars team has smashed its £5,000 target and the total is now at more than £6,500.
The last Premier League ground the group visited was Leicester City’s Kingpower Stadium on Saturday before the group completed their ride at the Sky Blues’ CBS Arena on Sunday.
During the mammoth cycle the team had a couple of punctures along the way but, thankfully, did not have to use the spare bike.
One of the members also dropped his phone on the Pennines and when the group went back for it, a car had gone over it.
‘Raising the Hope of Young Stars’ has started to provide days out for young stars and their parents and/or siblings.
Dave said: “Our Rhys had the opportunity to experience days out in between treatment which made such a difference.
“I want to keep my son’s memory alive through this legacy and everyone who has donated is making a difference to the lives of young people with cancer.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to the lads who rode with me, the van driver and physio Joe Donnelly and everyone who contributed to the fund-raising total.”
He also thanked Darren from Mirius Global Hygiene Solutions (Coventry Chemicals) for paying for the accommodation and KBTS for providing the van and fuel.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” added Dave.
Visit raisingthehopesofyoungstars.co.uk for more on the charity and gofundme.com/f/ride-for-rhys-2-premier-league-stadium-tour to boost the fund-raising total.
Go to facebook.com/raisingthehopesofyoungstars and twitter.com/raising_rhys for the latest updates on the charity.
