Battle Batten Campaign for Hucknall twins continued success thanks to community support

The group will travel 214 miles from Hucknall to Horseshoe Pass in Wales and back on Sunday 29th June.

Made up of Dan Lidgett, Gary Little, Frank Paterson, Graham Lynk and Russell Bonser with Annesley Road’s Scot Gamble from ProBikes, the group collectively hope to raise £500 for the Battle Batten campaign.

The team have been busy preparing for the ride and are now hoping for good weather.

“We usually take on one big challenge for charity a year,” said Gary Little who works at Brooke Farm in Linby. “We have been training hard which culminated in a 95 mile ride last Sunday around Buxton.

“The forecast for the weekend looks good, which is a relief as our ride to Blackpool last year was hit by horrendous weather.”

It was seeing the campaign in the Dispatch that motivated the team to choose the Battle Batten charity.

Freddie and Louie Dawkins are believed to be the only identical twins in the world with their particular strain of this devastating condition.

Batten Disease is a rare progressive neuro degenerative condition.

“We heard about the boys and I have seen them around town so I nominated their appeal to the team,” added Gary.

The twins’ mum and dad, Sarah and Andrew are delighted the cyclists have decided to support their campaign.

“I can’t believe they are biking so far,” said Sarah. “We appreciate what they are doing and wish them luck.”

All the money raised through the campaign will go into research and the boys’ particular strain of the disease. The couple went to King’s College London last week to meet research students and other parents.

“It was a chance to catch up with the latest research and keep our contacts within the Batten community,” said Sarah. “It also gives us the chance to talk to other parents.”