Determined Mirfield youngster Stanley Roche has completed a three-day swimming, cycling and running challenge to give something back to the charity supporting his best friend.
Nine-year-old Stanley finished the final leg, a 10k run around Mirfield, in one hour 18 minutes, setting a new personal best.
Waiting for him at the finish line was Teddy Pitt, also nine, who presented his mate with a medal.
It brought to an end three demanding days which began with a 1km swim at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds.
Stanley, who lives in Lower Hopton, completed the swim in 36 minutes 31 seconds, with Teddy joining him in the pool for part of the distance.
The following day it was back to Mirfield for a 20km cycling challenge at Mirfield Fire Station, which Stanley completed in one hour eight minutes.
The final test came last Thursday with the 10k run starting at Knowl Park, with almost 50 friends, family and well-wishers cheering him on and joining him on the route.
There was some extra encouragement before the run too, with Stanley receiving video messages from TV Gladiators Nitro and Fury.
The impressive challenge was in aid of Headlines Craniofacial Support, a charity which has helped Teddy and his family.
Teddy was born with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic craniofacial condition which can affect the skull and face as well as the hands and feet. Headlines says the condition is thought to occur in around one in 65,000 live births.
Stanley and Teddy were born just four days apart and have been friends all their lives. They attend the same school and their families live just minutes apart.
On his fundraising page, Stanley writes: “Teddy isn’t just my friend – he’s like a brother to me.”
Stanley’s mum Katy Roche said the friendship between the boys was at the heart of the fundraising.
She said: “They have an amazing bond. We say that we’re all friends, but it really is more like family. He’s such an active lad!”
The nine-year-old currently plays football for Mirfield Juniors, cricket for Moorlands CC, runs with Spenborough and District Athletics Club and plays darts for Wakefield.
This is the second year Stanley has set himself a major physical challenge to raise money for Headlines.
After watching his parents organise their own charity events, last summer, aged eight, he decided he wanted to run a marathon distance over 14 days.
He raised more than £2,100, and this year Stanley wanted to go further by combining three activities he enjoys and set himself the 1km swim, 20km bike ride and 10km run.
His efforts have again caught the imagination of supporters, and his JustGiving page has racked up over £1,800 in donations so far.
Headlines is a charity that supports people affected by craniosynostosis and other rare craniofacial conditions. It provides support for families, runs events and support groups, helps fund research and works to increase understanding of the conditions.
For Stanley, though, the motivation has always been much closer to home – helping the charity which has been there for his best friend.
And after a kilometre in the pool, 20km on his bike and a personal-best 10k run, Teddy was there to see him finish.
Donations can still be made for Stanley’s challenge at https://www.justgiving.com/page/katy-roche-2.
