Amazing Hartlepool youngster Alfie raises cash so nana with cancer can be granted balloon ride wish

Alfie Bown, aged six, made over £300 by completing a sponsored bike ride from Seaton Carew to the Headland on Sunday, July 12, so his grandmother Julia Leighton can have a ride in a hot air balloon.

Julia, 54, of King Oswy, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in January of this year and tragically has been given just 12 to 18 months to live.

The ride among the clouds is one of only a handful of things on Julia's bucket list and the bike ride was Alfie's idea.

Julia said: “He asked me on his birthday in June. He said ‘can I do a bike ride so you can go up inside the hot air balloon?’

"He knows I’m poorly and I’m not going to get better.

"About 12 years ago I saw a hot air balloon and said ‘I would love that’. I’ve only got a few things on my bucket list and that’s one of them.”

Alfie, who attends Jesmond Gardens Primary School, even offered to sell his toys to help his nanna.

He was joined on Sunday’s six-mile ride by his mum Amanda Bown and her brother Stuart.

But the true distance he pedalled was even higher as he rode from his house in Jesmond to Seaton Carew before, and then to Julia's house afterwards.

Julia was present at the finishing line on the Headland to welcome Alfie with a big cuddle.

She added: “It was a very emotional day but it was lovely of him to do it.”

Family and friends have so far contributed £300 in sponsorship with offers of support still coming in.

Julia hopes to book her trip in a balloon as soon as the coronavirus situation allows.

Bile ducts are small tubes that connect organs including the liver and gall bladder to the small bowel.

The NHS says early onset of bile duct cancer may not have any symptoms or they can be hard to spot.

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