Six-year-old raises more than £1,500 for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Kingsbridge youngster Ryan has completed a sponsored six-mile walk along the South West Coast Path in aid of charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

Ryan, joined by his family and friends, set out on Sunday, 7 April, to complete his six-mile walk along the South West Coast Path in aid of charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, in order to support his grandad.

Ryan has raised more than £1,500 for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, with donations still coming in

Ryan's mum Tracy Allen said: "Ryan took it upon himself to do this challenge after his grandad was diagnosed and has recently started life-prolonging medication.

"This medication is specialist and high cost and the money raised will help to fund with research, treatment and to help support patients and their families from this horrible disease. 

"At just six-years-old, what Ryan is choosing to do is absolutely amazing and everyone is very, very proud of him! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to his challenge."

Ryan and his family started the walk at Start Point car park and walked to Torcross, along the line and back again. Three families that saw them on the sponsored walk donated to the cause there and then!

Ryan and his team were greeted at the end of the challenge by family and friends and celebrated with a "yummy lunch" at the Start Bay Inn.

Ryan has raised more than £1,500 for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, with donations still coming in 

A spokesperson for the charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis said: "At just six-years-old, Ryan was inspired to make a difference and decided to organise a sponsored walk to support his Grandad, who was recently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

"Ryan’s family set off along the stunning Devon coastline and completed their journey in just over three hours, raising an incredible £1,500 for APF. Thank you so much for your support Ryan"

Ryan told the APF: “I wanted to help my grandad when Mummy told me he was poorly, when I asked what it was, she said that his lungs are bad which makes it hard for grandad to breathe. Mummy explained that there were things we could do to raise money to help grandad and other people who have the condition.

"I wanted to do a big long walk, bake cakes and have drinks with lots of people (like a coffee morning), so we decided to start with a long walk to help raise lots of money and with mummy and auntie Lynda’s help - we did it.”

Pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring) describes a group of interstitial lung diseases where the lungs become progressively stiffer and smaller, eventually leading to low oxygen levels in the blood. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) affects around 70,000 people in the UK. Find out more about the condition on the APF website: www.actionpf.org 

If you would like to donate to Ryan's challenge, visit his JustGiving page HERE.