Father's 400-mile Disneyland Paris cycling challenge to help charity which helped his son William
Four hundred miles stand between a Bury St Edmunds father and his goal to help a charity close to his heart.
Nick Davis is preparing to cycle to Disneyland Paris next weekend before enjoying a three-day break there with his son William, 19, who has the genetic condition Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
For Nick, the challenge is all about raising funds for Fulfil the Wish, a charity which helped his family and inspired him to become a trustee.
Every year, Fulfil the Wish runs ‘wish trips’ for children and young people with lifelong and life-limiting disabilities and their families to Disneyland Paris and an activity centre in Cumbria.
“We are cycling from Bury on August 18, aiming to get to Disneyland on August 21 as the children arrive,” said Nick, one of the four-strong challenge team. “We are putting in the hard miles to help put on some happy smiles.”
William’s condition causes tumours to grow throughout his body, causing problems including autism and severe learning difficulties. He is now living as independently as he can, with help from a ‘fantastic’ care team.
“So far, he is really enjoying it, it is like being on holiday for him,” said Nick, adding that William had moved on to palliative care as there was no further treatment available for his kidneys.
“For me, it is important to make memories. This charity helped us years ago and that’s why we decided it would be a good idea to do the challenge. Because Fulfil the Wish has such low overheads, essentially everything we raise goes to the kids. The money makes a big difference.
“We would love to raise £5,000, which is 25 per cent of the cost of next year’s Disney trip,” added Nick.
William’s story has been told through the Channel Four documentary Born to Be Different, which has followed him since he was weeks old.
Sponsor Nick at justgiving.com/fundraising/fulfil-the-wish