Cyclists hope to raise over £100k in memory of Sam White

A fundraising bike ride has been launched in memory of brave teen Sam White to raise more than £100,000 for his legacy charity.

Saturday saw the official launch of the Sam White Legacy End2End challenge, set up by his father Mike, at Ann Et Vin in Newark.

The 1,060-mile bike ride will take 14 days to complete. It begins on August 25 at John O’Groats and ends in Land’s End, and will stop off at Sam’s former school, Newark Academy, for a few hours of fun on September 1.

Mike, a trustee of the Sam White Legacy, said he wanted to continue raising money in his son’s memory.

He and his wife Pam ­— who also died of cancer last year ­— lost their son Sam in 2013, aged 16. He had fought a brain tumour for four years.

Despite his diagnosis, he was determined to live a fulfilling life, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness of his condition in young people.

After his death, Sam’s parents founded the Sam White Legacy to continue his work and went on to raise more tha £100,000 to pay for medical equipment to be used locally, research and respite holidays for other young sufferers and their families.

The latest fundraiser will see 12 cyclists, including Mike, travel across the country, each of whom will ride for a child being treated for cancer or a child who has died.

The charity sends up to ten families per accounting year for weekend respite at Center Parcs.

Mike said: “When we stop at Newark Academy, the 12 riders will have a chance to meet the families of the children they are cycling and raising money for."

The money raised will allow the charity to achieve its aims and create sustainability, as well as working with the University of Nottingham and QMC to help with medical research.

Mike hopes to extend respite activities for another ten families and help similar charities in the Midlands to make a difference in their areas.

He thanked the design agency Creative Minds for the charity’s website and help with End2End, adding his late son and wife would be incredibly proud.

“It is all for building a better future for children with brain tumours,” he said.

Go to www.thesamwhitelegacy.org.uk