Fantastic four’s ride on wild side

Cycling mates . . . (from the left) Andrew and Steven Creamer, Tim Rea, and Russell Littlewood, with their best friend, Daniel Bewley, who is confined to a wheelchair by a debilitating and rare condition

Blizzards don’t stop 600-mile trek for Daniel

Four determined bikers will complete a mammoth challenge this weekend.

The quartet has faced blizzards and rugged terrain as they cycled through all four countries in the UK to raise money for a wheelchair-bound friend.

They set off from Greenfield last Saturday and aim to have completed the gruelling 600-mile ride this weekend.

Russell Littlewood, Tim Rea, and brothers Andrew and Steven Creamer, all from Saddleworth, donned their helmets and cycling gear to raise vital funds for their friend of over 20 years, Daniel Bewley.

Daniel (24) has suffered from the degenerative disease mitochondrial neuro gastrointestinal encephalopathy for five years.

For the past two years it has prevented him eating anything and as a result has seen his weight plummet to little over six stone.

The ex-Blue Coat pupil is one of fewer than 100 sufferers worldwide and the disease has meant his mother, teacher Norma, taking leave from work to become his full-time carer after he lost the use of his legs and hands.

She said: “It has completely taken over our lives. You feel like you’re not part of everyday life because it consumes you, but Daniel is a fighter.

“The friends have always remained so close, it’s incredible what they are doing for him but in a sense it’s nothing less than what I would expect, it really shows their loyalty — they would do anything for him.

“They all say that Daniel will one day be better to join them again.”

After four stints in intensive care, Daniel finally received a bone marrow transplant last November that will hopefully halt the damage caused by the disease.

But his friends were never far away, and are now aiming to raise thousands to buy the equipment to ensure Daniel’s recovery and make a donation to the Freeman Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

The cycling team is currently riding through Ireland after battling the steep slopes of the Lake District, passing through Dumfries and catching the ferry from Stranraer in Scotland.
But the bad weather in Northern Ireland has meant the team has encountered freezing temperatures, blizzards and power cuts along the way.

Tony Littlewood, father of first-time cyclist Russell, said: “I’m so proud that he is managing to keep up the pace, it just shows the lengths that they will go to help a friend.”

It is hoped that, with the help of physiotherapy, Daniel will start to make a recovery in the coming years.

Tony Littlewood said: “He’s such a nice lad, his mates go around and cheer him up and we are all looking forward to the day when he can come around once again and have a game of snooker with us all.”


Visit Natwest’s Uppermill branch to make a donation to the Daniel Bewley Trust Fund.