Kind Biggleswade boy completes mighty 100km challenge for the NSPCC

Sporty Lawnside Academy pupil Archer Gibson, five, finished his running and cycling challenge in style on July 31 when his friends and family met him at the finish line to cheer him on.

The young fundraiser, who used pedal power to complete his final few kilometres, was joined by Maythorn Cycling Club for the grand finale, with its members very impressed with his determination and kindness.

Explaining why he wanted to help, Archer said: “So I can make kids happy and give them more life and give them lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of toys.

“When I crossed the finish line I felt happy because I’d helped all the children.

“My favourite part was meeting the bike riders because one gave me a handshake and he gave me a top.”

To complete his challenge, Archer exercised in places including Chicksands Wood, St Neots riverside, and the RSPB nature reserve, while his furthest distance was a 10km trip to Sandy.

His mum, Asha Gibson, and his grandmother, Sheila Males, (affectionately known as ‘Gran Gran’) supported him during his trips and the family, including dad Ben, 36, brother Logan, three, and sister Penelope, one, are all very proud.

Asha said: “I was proud before he even raised the money. Even just thinking of it was massive for someone so small.

“He sat me down at the start of July and said that he wanted to help children to give them a better life.

“He’s always been that way, ever since he want to nursery. It was Children in Need or something like that, and he brought his piggy and emptied it into the bucket!”

For Archer’s final journey he cycled from his home in the Fairfield estate to Edward Peake school, where he met the cycling club and led them to the finish line at Fairfield cricket pitch for the celebrations.

Asha said: “He was so overwhelmed, and he told me ‘I’m really sad I’ve finished, I liked the pressure!’

“Every time I watch the video I keep crying. Hopefully it’s something he will remember forever.”

To donate, search ‘Archer’s 100k fundraiser’ on the GoFundMe website.