TWO kind-hearted boys saddled up for their own sponsored bike ride in aid of a youngster seriously injured in a road accident.

Friends Kian Monoghan and Lucas Seale, both aged 11, went to Close Park in Radcliffe to show their support for 10-year-old Oliver Hacking, who recently had his leg amputated.

The youngster was hit by a horsebox as he was crossing Bolton Road in Bury at about 4.30pm on March 28, and police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Kian, of Carrbrook Terrace, Radcliffe, and schoolpal Lucas, who is also from Radcliffe, rode for 15 miles non-stop in little more than an hour last Friday.

The boys do not know Oliver, but after hearing about the incident were determined to help him and have raised £376.50 in sponsorship to date – smashing their £300 target.

Jason Rakha, Kian’s stepdad, said: “The boys came to Kian’s mum Janet to ask for help as they wanted to do the bike ride for Oliver – being of a similar age and enjoying the same hobbies, it made this accident very real in their minds.

“It was a fantastic effort – the boys are so motivated.

“It is important to help raise awareness of safety when riding bikes, and general road safety.”

Kian and Lucas, who both attend Philips High School in Whitefield, collected sponsorship money from schoolfriends, family, and Jason’s colleagues in Middlesbrough.

Jason added: “The ultimate goal for the boys would be to meet Oliver and not only show their support but become friends and help lift his spirits at this very hard time.”

After the accident, Oliver, a pupil at St Stephen’s Primary School in Bury, was airlifted to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he is currently being cared for, and has recently been brought out of an induced coma.

A fundraising page set up by Denise Appleyard, the best friend of Oliver’s mum, has already seen £1,055 in donations towards the youngster’s future.

For more information: search ‘Fundraising for local boy oliver’ on Facebook, or visit gofundme.com

  • Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call police on 0161 8564742.