HAVING only recently mastered riding a bike without stabilisers, young Ben Whitehouse decided to set himself a huge cycling challenge to raise money for charity.

Inspired by the fundraising work his mum Kirsten has been doing for Winston’s Wish, Ben decided that he wanted to help the cause too and did 13 laps of Clarence Park in just over 50 minutes.

And Ben completed the challenge just two weeks after his plaster cast, which mended his broken elbow, was removed.

Kirsten, from the Camp Road area, said: “Considering he only learned to ride the bike without stabilisers around his sixth birthday in March, it’s quite a feat. We are really proud of him.”

Ben raised more than �100 for Winston’s Wish, which supports bereaved children, and enjoyed a celebratory ice cream with brother Joseph after completing his challenge.

Kirsten added: “He had obviously picked up on the work we were doing for the charity, but he says he chose Winston’s Wish because he wanted to “help make the sad children happy again”.”

To sponsor Ben retrospectively visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KirstenNicola

The website also includes more information about Kirsten’s charity work, which has included organising numerous fundraising events with her friend Nicola Fletcher ahead of them completing the Great North Run in September.