A TEN-year-old boy has pedalled his way through a 100 mile cycle challenge to raise money in memory of his cousin.

Matthew Wood from Great Sankey was determined to help a brain tumour charity after his 24-year-old relative, Aaron Wood from Catcliffe near Rotherham, died last December.

Matthew, who is a member of the 7th Warrington Cub Scouts, hoped to make £100 for Brain Tumour Research but ended up raising more than five times his goal.

Mum Cathy said: “We are so, so proud of him. He started in August and completed most of his rides in September. His challenge took him off-road, along cycle trails and he also got to ride at the Manchester velodrome which he absolutely loved.

“He was accompanied by either me or his dad, his brother Joseph and also his grandad so it’s been a bit of a team effort although Matthew was the only one who completed the whole 100 miles.”

Philosophy student Aaron completed his degree before he died and his final wish was for scientists to use his brain to further their knowledge of tumours.

The illness kills more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer but just 2 per cent of funding for research is dedicated to the disease.

Suzanne McKenna from the charity said: “We are enormously grateful to Matthew for undertaking this wonderful challenge in memory of his cousin Aaron.

“The money will be used to fund scientists at a network of Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence where the focus is on improving treatments for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”

n To donate to Matthew’s campaign visit justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-wood33.