Three boys raised over £1,000 in a 25-mile cycling challenge on Saturday (September 26) to fund new football kits for the Hatherleigh AFC Under 9 team.

Harry Phillips, Ralphie Madge and Finn Holden (ages seven and eight) cycled 25 miles bike from Yarde to Instow to raise money to fund a new kit for the team. At the time of writing they had raised £1,095.

The boys along with Harry’s mum, Ralphie’s dad and Finn’s dad set off from Yarde at 9:30am and arrived at Instow at 3pm. Harry’s dad and little sister joined them from Torrington and back with Finn’s mum and sister and Ralphie’s mum and sister as a support crew.

Harry’s mum, Amy Phillips, said: “They were all on such a high when they crossed the line, and the group of family and friends cheering them in made it all the more special. There was chocolate cake, balloons, even more sweets waiting for them. They're all really happy that they can help their football team get a decent kit to represent Hatherleigh in, and even more excited that they get to choose the design of it.

“The only thing that shone brighter than the sun all day was the boys’ smiles! The Tarka Trail was filled with laughter and bubbly conversation between the three of them, mixed in with some questionable music and motivation talks from Harry’s five-year-old sister who came along for the ride on the back of her dad’s bike, wireless speaker in hand. It was such an ambitious challenge, yet it didn't phase them once. They took it all in their stride and just kept peddling.”

It was Finn who first posed the idea after he questioned why they could not raise the funds for the new kit themselves if no one sponsored them. Harry and Ralphie jumped at the chance to join Finn, who had decided on a bike ride as the most inclusive and accessible challenge, while allowing them to cover the longest distance.