A Backwell schoolboy is getting on his bike and cycling nearly 1,000 miles for Cancer Research UK in memory of his much-loved grandfather who died last year.

Charlie Collis, aged 10, has an ambitious target of raising £20k for the charity.

The 970-mile route mapped out for the Backwell Junior School pupil, who is a massive Southampton football fan, will cover 21 premier league stadiums starting in Newcastle in the north and ending at the home ground of The Saints.

In his back-up team is dad Chris, 37, who was in insurance before giving up his job to care for his father-in-law farmworker Michael Kent until he died in October 2025; mum Hayley who works at Backwell School where sister Georgie, 13, is a student.

Georgie who plays for the u13s and grandmother Sally will join the ‘team’ at the half-way stage in Coventry.

Dad will act as a support rider and mum will drive the support vehicle

Football fan Charlie plays five times a week in centre midfield for Nailsea United Junior FC u10s and both siblings enjoy sessions with Priority Football.

Dad and son have been out training together riding through North Somerset scenic countryside with Charlie using at home a static bike kindly loaded by Quarry Gym.

Chris said: “Unfortunately, last year my son had to experience the pain of watching his grandad, who was just 65, go through a battle with cancer which he lost in October.

“Charlie was very close to him and saw him most days including during his final few weeks at St Peter’s Hospice. 

“In memory of his grandad, he is taking on an extraordinary challenge to help raise money for Cancer Research UK. 

“At just 10 years old he will be riding his bike 970 miles over 16 days.

“He will begin his ride at the home of Newcastle United, St James’s Park and make his way down to the south coast visiting all 20 Premier League stadiums before finishing at St Mary’s, the home of Southampton FC. 

“As you can imagine this is going to be incredibly challenging for him both physically and mentally.

“There will be long days in the saddle, tough weather conditions, and moments when he’ll want to give up.

“But knowing that every mile ridden is helping to fund life-saving research will keep him going.”

And Charlie said: "I know there will be times when I'm tired and struggling, but when that happens, I'll think about what my grandad went through.

"The hard times I face on my bike will be nothing compared to what he had to go through, and that will help me keep pushing."

To read more and to donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlie-collis-

Despite his young age Charlie has completed several feats of endurance for different charities.

Aged seven he biked from Bristol to Southampton in 2023 and aged eight he went from Cornwall to Southampton in 2024 both rides taking several days.

The last ride raised £7k.

The 16-day schedule starts on Saturday, August 15.

Chris described Charlie as: ‘very sporty, very determined, very competitive’.