Morecambe postie's bike challenge for boy with leukaemia

Four-year-old George O'Shaughnessy is battling leukaemia but loves nothing more than dressing up as a soldier ready to save the day.
Photo Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma HarlingPhoto Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling
Photo Neil Cross Former Morecambe postman and ex Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling

The youngster, who was born with the blood cancer, loves donning his military outfits during his hospital stays – and now he is being helped by a real life soldier.

David Carr, a former Morecambe soldier, is fundraising for George by taking part in a gruelling 141-mile bike ride during Armed Forces Day.

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“George is such a brave little lad, you can see nothing phases him, he is strong,” said David, who works in the sorting office at Morecambe depot.

Photo Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma HarlingPhoto Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling
Photo Neil Cross Former Morecambe postman and ex Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling

David wanted to help as soon as possible after getting in contact with ex-Army colleague, Neil O’Shaughnessy, George’s father.

Neil, originally from Morecambe but now living in Portsmouth, is spending £160 a week on car parking bills to visit his son at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

George has been in remission for 18 months and is back in hospital to prepare for a stem cell and bone marrow transplant from an American donor.

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“The family have undergone a lot of financial strain with having to give up work because they have got to dedicate all their time to George,” said David.

Photo Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma HarlingPhoto Neil Cross
Former Morecambe postman and ex  Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling
Photo Neil Cross Former Morecambe postman and ex Royal Signals veteran Dave Carr will be completing a charity cycle ride from Scarborough to Morecambe, with Andrew Howard of the Chieftain Pub, with a little help from Gemma Harling

“We are raising funds to pay for parking fees, and anything they need for overnight accommodation, we want to help.”
David is no stranger to fundraising.

He began his life of charity work in 1987 whilst in the army and was given a Royal Mail Community Champion award for supporting good causes and for saving a man’s life.

He said: “I have always been told it is better to give; I have always put others first.”

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He will join Andrew Howard, landlord at The Chieftain pub on Pedder Street, on the bike ride from Scarborough to Morecambe from June 22-24.

The charity cycle ride is being sponsored by Craft Union Inns and will finish at The Chieftain on June 24, where there will also be a Forces Day reunion for Royal Signals and other members of the forces past and present.

All funds raised from the ride will help the O’Shaughnessy family and also support Andrew’s chosen charity, Help for Heroes.

Thousands have been raised so far and David is confident they will reach their £4,000 target.