Football mad boys buy iPads for care homes after taking on Slyne to Wembley 'walk'

The 12 boys originally planned to walk a total of 239 miles, the distance to Wembley, to raise money to buy iPads for local people in care homes and hospitals unable to contact loved ones during the corona virus pandemic.

The boys are able to keep in touch with their own families but realised others couldn't and wanted to do their bit for the community.

The boys live in three homes, in Slyne, Bolton-le-Sands and Heysham, which are run by Bay View Childcare.

Bay View staff and their own families joined the 12 boys in a series of walks in the district.

With their initial target quickly achieved, the boys extended their soccer horizons to include Lille, Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven - rattling up a total of 542 miles.

Four iPads have already been presented, to the Sands Nursing home in Morecambe, St John's Hospice in Lancaster, Hillcroft Nursing Home in Caton, and the children's ward at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Enough money has almost been raised to fund a fifth iPad.

Paul Johnson, Director of Care, said: "It has been a fantastic achievement by all the young people and staff. It is great to see young people who have been through difficult times in their own lives getting together for others."

Peter Leonard, one of the managers, and a football referee, added: "The lads are really made up by what they have done. It was a big ask but they certainly enjoyed doing it."