CARING brothers Max Ratcliffe, 8, and Tom, 6, set themselves a challenge of walking, running and cycling 100 miles in October in support of their little brother, Leo.

Leo, two-and-a-half, has Down syndrome and his big brothers have been taking part in a fundraiser for Leo’s Down Syndrome Training and Support Charity, in Bingley.

Their challenge was to complete 100 miles throughout the month of October come rain or shine, and they smashed it with time to spare.

Their little brother attends Jollytots nursery in Burley which has also been raising money to support Leo’s charity, doing a treasure hunt around Burley and have been getting all the tiny tots at nursery participating in an obstacle course

Mum Mel said: “This charity is a training and support service for families with a prenatal diagnosis right through to adulthood. They provide vital early intervention and specialist support and education.

“During Max and Tom’s challenge they have had the support of their friends at school who have helped and encouraged them with running during their lunch break on the schools track. They attend Menston Primary School and the head teacher ran with the children at lunch.

“The boys have ran at Roberts park Park Run on Saturday, October 22 . They ran three miles each building up miles along with raising awareness of Down syndrome. George Webster from CBBC came and ran with us here.

“We also hired the Brownlee cycle circuit on Sunday, October 23 along with 40 children from school and their parents . The children wanted to help Max and Tom reach their target .

“And they absolutely did as within an hour the children and adults did 451 laps which equates to 451 miles.”

Mel said despite Max and Tom surpassing their target they still carried on counting up the miles until the end of October.

The family of five, from Menston, Mel, Johnny and the three boys, have a fundraising page where you can read about the challenge the boys set for themselves.

The page is still open for people to make a donation if they wish. 

It can be done by going to: https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/NMPm7

Proud mum Mel added: “All this in aid of fundraising to help their little brother Leo and other families locally."

The boys' fundraising total, including on the fundraising page, now stands at £4,503.75.

The Down Syndrome Training and Support Service Ltd is a charity that provides training, support and information for parents and professionals who live and work with children and young adults who have Down syndrome.

It provides training in the specific learning needs of children with Down syndrome, early development groups, speech and language sessions, going out club, family.