Littlehampton cyclist Alfie, seven, youngest to finish 60-mile ride

Alfie, of Old Mead Road, Lyminster, was the youngest of the 1,600-plus riding from Esher College, in Surrey, to Hove and raising more than 300,000 for charity.

Accompanied by his dad Graham, 44, Alfie was sponsored to the tune of 267 for Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, and completed the ride in 8hours 40minutes.

But he almost didn't make it to the starting line, when a sneak thief pinched Alfie's bike from outside their home three weeks before the event.

Kind-hearted staff at the nearby Littlehampton civic amenity site who heard about his plight found Alfie a replacement and even gave him #20 in sponsorship cash.

Huge cheer

Said Graham, who looks after Alfie and his twin siblings, four-year-olds Josie and Harvey: "Two years ago Alfie did the ride with me sitting on my crossbar, and this time he was determined to do it on his own bike.

"It's a great achievement for a seven-year-old, especially as he has asthma, and I'm very proud of him '” I had tears in my eyes as he finished. He got a huge cheer from everyone.

"He said all he wanted was his medal and I said if we weren't back by 6pm, they might have given all the medals out, just to keep him going, but he coped fine.

"Alfie was also very keen to do it for Chestnut Tree House. He knows about the place and the children who are looked after there, and wants to go up there to present them with his cheque."

Graham and Alfie, who attends East Preston Infant School, joined a group of other riders from Littlehampton, led by Andrew Sleeman, of Spokes cycle shop.

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