Kelbrook boy, 8, joins cycle challenge in memory of his dad (From Craven Herald)

Kelbrook boy, 8, joins cycle challenge in memory of his dad

8:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

An eight-year-old boy whose father died of a rare form of cancer will be taking part in the London to Paris Bike Ride to raise money in his memory.

Finn Robinson, of Dotcliffe Road, Kelbrook, will join his uncles Gareth and Neil on the first leg of their 500 km (310 mile) charity cycle ride.

Adam Robinson, 44, from Sough, Earby, died on May 18 after being diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum five months earlier.

He spent the last few weeks of his life at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds.

His son still receives support from the hospice, which offers specialist counselling and therapy sessions for bereaved youngsters.

Finn, a pupil at Kelbrook Primary School, said: “I miss my Daddy and wish I could have him back, but this bike ride is a good opportunity to raise money for St Gemma’s so that they can help other people.

“I remember Daddy used to pick me up from school on his bike and we’d go cycling along the canal, it was fun.

“I want to cycle as far as I can. I can usually do about five miles, so I might be able to do about 20 if my uncles pull me along.”

Neil, 40, a solar panel engineer, of Lower East Avenue, Barnoldswick, said: “Adam’s death has left a big space in our lives.

“It just totally floored the whole family and everyone who knew him. You just don’t expect to lose your brother at the age of 44.

“Adam liked to go out cycling and Finn does too, so the bike ride seemed like the right thing to do to raise funds.

“Doing something like this gives us something positive to focus on.”

Gareth, 41, a Rolls-Royce engineer, of Park Road, Barnoldswick, said: “The level of care Adam and the whole family received at St Gemma’s was fantastic. It is run through voluntary contributions so that’s why we’re doing it, to give something back.”

Family friend Ben Hoyle, 34, of Brogden Lane, is also taking part in the five-day bike ride, which starts in London on July 3.

Adam, who worked as a luthier, making and repairing guitars and other stringed instruments, grew up in Barnoldswick and attended West Craven High School and Nelson and Colne College.

He played bass guitar for several local bands and went on to study at Leeds College of Music, achieving a BTEC Diploma in Music Technology and Guitar Making, before setting up his own business, Adam Robinson Guitars, in 2004.

Gareth said: “We are all busy training for the bike ride, building up to doing about 100 miles a week.

“Whenever I’m aching or tired or feel like giving up I just think about the pain Adam suffered and that keeps me going.”

The team aims to raise more than £4,500 and anyone who would like to help can visit their fundraising website

The family hopes to organise further fundraising events in the future for other causes, including the Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends, which also helped Adam.