BEXLEY: Tom aged 10 gearing up for Sport Relief (From News Shopper)

BEXLEY: Tom aged 10 gearing up for Sport Relief

10:00am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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PEOPLE are getting on their marks ready to take part in the latest national fundraiser - Sport Relief.

Tom Fitzsimmons, 10, of Crombie Road, Sidcup, will be attempting the longest cycle ride of his short life on Saturday.

With his fireman dad Paul for company, Tom, a pupil at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School in Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, will be trying to cycle from Dover to London, a distance of around 70 miles.

Mr Fitzsimmons, 48, said: “It was all Tom’s idea. I don’t know why he chose to start from Dover.

“I will just be there to encourage him and back him up.”

Among those backing him in his attempt to complete the ride and raise £1,000, is Sidcup Cycle centre, which has provided him with all his kit.

Tom’s mum Julie will drive the pair down to Dover on Friday night, and they plan to set off at about 6am, using the back roads.

Mr Fitzsimmons said: “We have not set any time limits, but the early start should give us enough time to finish the ride.

“Although we do a lot of cycling, Tom doesn’t belong to any club and the furthest he has cycled before is about 20 miles.”

Sidcup student Amelie Treppass from Burnt Oak Lane, is among a team of four young people three studying at King’s College London and one at Christ the King 6th Form College in Lewisham, who are asking people to do nothing more energetic than make a click on their computer.

They are one of 10 teams taking part in an on-line “thanking” campaign to win £5,000 worth of sports equipment donated by Sweatband.com

The team which attracts the most "thanks" will win the equipment which will go to projects chosen by Sport Relief.

To help them win, people should go to thanksto.co.uk/campaign/sportrelief by March 31 and follow the instructions.

To donate to Tom’s efforts, go to http://www.mysportrelief.com/tomscycle70?SID=127866