York to Selby bike ride for Highfield Harrogate pupil, Henry

Now aged ten, Henry Connolly, who lives in North Rigton near Harrogate with mum, Lucinda, dad, Oliver and eight-year-old sister, Charlotte, will be riding with his dad from York to Selby and back again.

The Highfield pupil is raising funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, and the cycle ride, which was completely his idea has already been sponsored by Northern who have provided train tickets.

Henry Connolly with his sister, Charlotte, mum, Lucinda, dad, Oliver and Lucinda's mother, Carol (Image: Supplied)

The bike ride is taking place on Sunday (September 15) and Oliver said: "Doctors discovered Henry had a hole in the heart and he had open heart surgery when he was just four at Leeds General Infirmary which at the time was quite terrifying.

"But the operation when absolutely to plan. He had a very skilful surgeon, Osama Jaber. It was very traumatic, but the hospital are brilliant and Leeds Congenital Heart Unit show a great deal of care. He's been fine ever since.

"Year 5 pupils at Henry's school were set the Fenwick Challenge back in May and Henry was joint winner of the award. He had to come up with a challenge and he came up with the idea of a bike ride after he got a new bike for his birthday in June.

"We'll be cycling from York on the Sustrans path down to Selby."

Henry at school collecting the Fenwick Challenge with mum, Lucinda (Image: Supplied)

Part of the route follows the cycle track follows the route of the former Selby to York railway from old Naburn station along the Solar System pathway. 

Named after a former head of Highfield, the Fenwick Challenge is an award that is given out on the school's speech day and the aim of the award is to challenge children to do something that they have not done before which will help them learn about a topic that interests them.

Henry with the new bike he got for his birthday (Image: Supplied)

If you want to support Henry he has set up a Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/page/henry-connolly-1718533216596

Henry has been busy training with his dad and has been slowly building up his distance cycling. He has so far raised more than £2,500 on his fundraising page.

Henry Connolly in training for his York to Selby bike ride (Image: Supplied)