Hartlepool schoolboy Owen, 13, rides 100 miles in one day for air ambulance

A schoolboy gave a life-saving air ambulance service a big boost after cycling 100 miles in one day.
Owen and fellow bike ridersOwen and fellow bike riders
Owen and fellow bike riders

Thirteen-year-old Owen Newbury got on his bike for the epic challenge, which saw him give £1,300 for the Great North Air Ambulance.

The Dyke House Sports and Technology College student was joined on the ride by numerous supporters.

Owen with his head of year Pam FisherOwen with his head of year Pam Fisher
Owen with his head of year Pam Fisher
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They included Owen’s dad Nigel and his headtechers, both past and present.

The route, which started and ended at Dyke House school, comprised of two 50-mile journeys taking in Hartlepool, Wynyard, Stockton and Sadberge.

Owen’s mum Lindsey Newbury, of the Fens, said: “It was a brilliant day and he was absolutely fantastic.

“After the first 50 miles he needed a bit of a rub down and something to eat.

Owen with his head of year Pam FisherOwen with his head of year Pam Fisher
Owen with his head of year Pam Fisher
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“He had 10 hours to do it and he did it in seven hours ten minutes.

“There was lots of people at the end to welcome him back.”

Owen and his dad have shared a passion for cycling for several years and he wanted to use it as a way of helping a good cause.

He chose to support the air ambulance service after seeing it in action at a car crash.

He said: “I thought it would be good to support them, as they are helping people all the time and saving lives.”

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The air ambulance operates three helicopters across its bases at Langwathby, near Penrith, Cumbria, and Durham Tees Valley Airport and must raise £4.5million a year to keep the three helicopters in the sky.

Owen was joined by 16 supporters on the first 50 miles of the challenge, while dad Nigel and a handful of staff joined him across the finishing line.

They included Dyke House executive principal Andrew Jordon, who said: “We are proud of Owen and think that it is testament to his character that he wants to help in this way.”

Lindsey said their support spurred Owen on, and also thanked Mike Young at Reserved Wedding Cars for his help and support and Wet Rock and Ride cycle shop, which provided free energy gels and gave everyone’s bike a thorough check- up.

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Owen also donated £100 to the school and a further £40 to a junior running club.

The event has certainly given Owen a taste for charity challenges, as he is already planning to take on an even longer coast to coast ride in a day next year to support another charity and his own school trip to Tanzania in 2018 to help build a school.