Lenny leads the way and raises £1.8k in aid of friend Phoebe
Eight-year old cycles 16 miles for Muscular Dystrophy UK
AN EIGHT-year old boy has helped raise almost £2,000 for charity after braving blustery conditions to cycle 16 miles in aid of his friend.
Lenny Mackay cycled from his home in Tingwall to the Burra bridge and back again on Saturday in order to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
He was inspired by his friend Phoebe Polson, who lives with the rare muscle-wasting condition Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
Lenny has raised an incredible £1,800 for the charity – more than 10 times his original target – through his efforts, which will help fund research into the condition.
His mam Stephanie Mackay said Lenny and Phoebe had grown up together, which had encouraged him to take on the challenge.
“Over the years, he’s seen the changes that Phoebe has gone through due to FSHD, and he wanted to do something to make a difference – to help her and others living with a muscle wasting condition,” Stephanie said.
Phoebe was diagnosed with FSHD in December 2023, aged just five.
There is currently no cure, and the rare genetic condition causes progressive muscle weakness, primarily affecting the face, shoulders, and upper arms.
Although she cannot physically smile, her family describe her as “the happiest little girl, always up for fun’”.
“Lenny has known Phoebe since they were very small and can see how her muscle wasting condition affects her,” said Stephanie.
“This is the first time he’s raised money for charity, and he was determined to do something for Muscular Dystrophy UK in Phoebe’s name to help make a difference to her life.
“He’s always out and about on his bike, so chose to do a sponsored cycle.”
Despite some windy conditions on the day, Lenny successfully cycled the planned 16-mile route and was joined by some school friends for the final part of the ride.
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And Phoebe was waiting at the finish line to greet him as well.
“He was so excited when he saw that he’d raised £1,800 on his fundraising page, as he’d originally set himself a target of £150,” Stephanie said.
“We’re so proud of him and seeing him with Phoebe at the finishing point, you could see on his face just how proud he was to have done it for her.”
Lenny said: “I just really want to show Phoebe how much I care about her and that anyone can raise money when they really want to help.”
The money Lenny has raised will go to the Muscular Dystrophy UK family fund ‘Phenomenal Phoebe’, with 80 per cent going towards research into FSHD and 20 per cent to help support Phoebe’s future welfare needs.
Muscular Dystrophy UK’s community fundraising manager Lindsay Davenport said they were “so grateful to Lenny” for taking on the challenge and raising so much money.
“It’s really inspiring seeing children fundraising and getting behind a cause, and we’d like to congratulate Lenny for such an amazing achievement.
“The money raised in support of his friend Phoebe will make a real difference. Thank you.”
A dedicated team of Sumburgh security staff trekked from the airport to Lerwick in July in support of the Phenomenal Phoebe fund, raising over £3,000 in the process.
And one of Shetland’s most prolific fundraisers, Kathryn Fullerton, and her team raised over £5,000 for the charity in May after walking from Lerwick to Scalloway.
You can support Lenny’s fundraiser here.
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