A LOVING uncle looking to raise cash to help his disabled nephew has rallied a team of determined cyclists to tackle a 1,000-mile bike ride from one end of the country to the other.

Phil Riches-Weedon, of Brook Street, Great Bromley, will take on the daunting challenge to help nephew Charlie Whicher, nine, secure a specialist bike.

The family also hope to start a charity to fund a technology which helps children like Charlie communicate non-verbally.

Charlie, who lives in Nottingham with mum Jules, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome around the age of one.

The rare condition means Charlie is only able to say a few words.

Jules said: “I immediately searched on the internet and was presented with a stunning medical checklist.

“Charlie ticked all of the boxes.

“I read that one of the characteristics of Angelman is that ‘they may not speak at all, or may only have a few words’.

“I was absolutely crushed.

“I can’t tell you how it feels to have the knowledge that your child will face significant challenges for the rest of his life and you’ll never hear your child’s beautiful voice.”

Charlie’s life has been changed by the use of Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD).

PODD gives Charlie a means of communicating through the use of symbols in a book and app, organised so that a disabled child can say whatever they want.

The system was developed in Australia, but Charlie’s family hope to found a charity to fund an annual camp in the UK, which would educate families on the use of this tool.

“Charlie now has a voice and we have hope, determination and the tools to meaningfully communicate,” said Jules.

“Through his communication book and his speech generating device I provided, he has access to a rich vocabulary of words and a language that he is learning to use.”

Phil and the team will set off from Land’s End, in Cornwall, on Saturday, June 24, cycling 127 miles on the first day and around 100 miles every day after until reaching John O’Groats, in Scotland. “It is going to be a huge challenge, but it is for a great cause,” said Phil.

“I am proud to call Charlie my nephew. He has the most contagious laughter, he is a smart, complex and cheeky nine-year-old, who lives with a challenging disability.”

To donate to the cause and for more information, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/WheelsforWords.