Burnley schoolboy takes on charity bike ride in honour of his grandmother's legacy
Henry Wilson-Stephenson, grandson of devoted children's nurse Karen Archer, is continuing her legacy by raising money for poverty-stricken children in Uganda through a 18-mile cycle ride.
A Burnley schoolboy is continuing the legacy of caring for children, passed down from his grandmother.
Karen Archer was a devoted children’s nurse, even continuing to work as much as possible up until her death in 2019, at the age of 61, after a brave battle with cancer.
Now her grandson Henry Wilson-Stephenson is on a mission for poverty stricken children in Uganda.
Henry is to take on a challenge to cycle 18 miles to raise money for Divine Care Missions, a grassroots Christian charity supporting children who are living in very difficult circumstances. Henry’s mum Vickie, who is from Burnley, became involved with the charity and is planning to go out to Uganda in May next year.
She will join Henry on the bike ride from Lytham to Fleetwood, walking and running alongside him, on Saturday, November 14. Their fundraising has already raised around £1,200, which will help provide mattresses, mosquito nets and Christmas gifts for the children supported by Divine Care Missions.
Vickie said: “The date is particularly meaningful because it's also the anniversary of mum's death. We have always celebrated her life since and it feels amazing to carry on her legacy.
“Henry was mum’s biggest reason to fight her battle with cancer and he was the most precious gift to her. I know she’d be incredibly proud. “
Vickie, who began fund raising in her mum’s memory, raised £7,000 for Pendleside Hospice before she went on to help other charities including BK’s Heroes and the RNLI.
Keen to do his bit Henry was just six when he took on a sponsored cycle for the RNLI from Lytham to Blackpool. He followed this with another ride from Blackpool to Fleetwood where he was presented with a medal for his endeavours.
Henry, who attends Blessed Trinity RC College, was subsequently invited to fundraise in Morecambe and Scarborough, eventually raising an incredible £1,234 for the RNLI. He was also featured as a young fundraiser in a publication commemorating 200 years of the RNLI.
Vickie added: “What makes this especially lovely for me is that Mum began her nursing career caring for children, and now her grandson is helping children thousands of miles away.
“I'm sp proud of Henry, particularly because he genuinely enjoys helping others and comes up with these challenges himself.”
To make a donation to Henry’s ride search the gofund me platform under ‘Help support the children of divine care missions Uganda’