Coast to coast cycle for Ryan

Family and friends of a boy from Lancaster who died from a rare genetic syndrome rode the coast to coast cycleway to raise funds for research.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Apr 2018, 15:19 BST
Updated 19th Apr 2018, 15:21 BST
Way of the Roses coast to coast cycle ride in aid of the Ryan Stanford appeal. Riders at the finish line in Bridlington.Way of the Roses coast to coast cycle ride in aid of the Ryan Stanford appeal. Riders at the finish line in Bridlington.
Way of the Roses coast to coast cycle ride in aid of the Ryan Stanford appeal. Riders at the finish line in Bridlington.

Cycle riders Dave Stanford (Ryan Stanford’s dad), Steve Lewin (Ryan’s uncle), Stephen Calvert (Ryan’s godfather), Matt Harmer, Kieran Williams and Brian Gladstone took part in the Way of the Roses coast to coast cycle ride from Morecambe to Bridlington, 170 miles, all in aid of The Ryan Stanford Appeal.

They had Gary Capstick (Ryan’s grandad) and Luke Stanford as their support team.

Ryan Stanford.Ryan Stanford.
Ryan Stanford.
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They completed the Coast to Coast in Bridlington and were accompanied over the finish line by Luke Stanford (Ryan’s brother) and Jessica Stanford (Ryan’s sister).

On their Facebook page, the Stanford family said: “Thank you to all our Way of the Roses riders, you were all absolutely amazing.

“The determination you all showed was fantastic Dave Stanford, Steve Lewin, Stephen Calvert, Matt Harmer, Kieron Williams and Brian Gladston.

“Thank you also to Gary Capstick, Ryan’s grandad for the use of the van and being the support team with Luke Stanford (Ryan’s brother). Lastly thank you to all our supporters both in person and on Facebook for all the support.”

Ryan Stanford.Ryan Stanford.
Ryan Stanford.
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Ryan’s brother Luke also hid some painted pebbles along the route that he had made with special memories of his brother for people to find.

This was what a group in Morecambe called Pebbleart had set up, with the idea of people finding stones on the beach, painting them, then hiding them for people to find and either keep or put back.

After falling ill whilst he was less than a year old, Ryan spent months in hospital and after many, many blood tests, he was diagnosed with Alpers’ Syndrome – also known as Alpers’ Disease.

It’s a terminal genetic disorder which affects both the brain and the liver.

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Ryan sadly died on June 23, 2015 but by setting up the Ryan Stanford Appeal, his mum and dad Anne and David hope to raise money to fund research into Alpers’ Syndrome which might give children like Ryan the chance of a brighter future

For more information go to www.ryanstanfordappeal.org.uk3

Donate on the just giving page http://www.justgiving.com/Wayoftherosesryanstanfordappeal?utm_id=121.

Related topics:Lancaster