A SCHOOLBOY from Reading has cycled the distance from Reading to Milan on his stationary bike to raise money for the NHS.

Cycling entirely from his living room and covering a distance of 50km a day, he has raised more than £1,000 for NHS Charities Together.

Not one to sit back and relax, the idea came to Alain Colangelo, a pupil at Leighton Park School, after he considered what he could do to help, amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

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“The NHS is under huge strain at the moment and we should do all we can to help them!” explained Alain, as he spoke about the motive behind his fundraising initiative.

He continued: “The UK and Italy, especially the Lombardy region, are hugely affected by the Covid 19 virus. I’m Italian born and living in the UK; these two countries are my home.”

He started on Easter Sunday and often exceeded his daily target of 50km.

Alain’s mother, Justine said: “I think Alain’s gesture to support the NHS is so thoughtful.

"Aside from that there is even an educational element to it!"

Alain’s Just Giving page where he posted daily updates on his progress, are complete with photographs and facts about the places he and his mum discovered.

On day eight, upon his arrival in Laon he recorded: “This medieval city is isolated atop a 100-metre-high limestone rock that punctuates the low, flat plains around.

"In the high town, encircled by eight kilometres of walls and formidable gates is France’s biggest protected historic centre. Great for sightseeing!”

Even though Alain usually enjoys keeping fit as a goalkeeper at Berks Elite Football Club, he had little experience of cycling before now.

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On his third day he said: “Another 52km done. My legs are killing me, but I’ll keep going! I’m almost in Folkestone!”

As the Summer Term started and Alain returned to his school work, he took to cycling in the evenings.

Following his fantasy finish across the line, Ron Colangelo, Alain’s cousin congratulated him on his achievement via Facebook: “Good job Alain. You did a very nice thing.… Congratulations cousin. You are a very special young man, your parents must be very proud of you for thinking about other people.”

You can continue to support Alain and the NHS over on his Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alain-colangelo1.