A schoolboy from Alvechurch has thanked the staff caring for his nan at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) by raising hundreds of pounds for the hospital’s official charity.

Oliver Coyle cycled nine miles from Alvechurch Canal to the end of Tardebigge and back and raised £507 for the charity’s new Cancer Appeal. With a target of £6.5 million, the appeal's aim is to bring some of the most advanced cancer treatment machines in the world to the hospital.

The nine-year-old recently visited the hospital with his nan Peggy O’Brien, granddad Eric, parents Pauline and Mike, and siblings Brett, Jude and Lily to see how his donation will help patients with cancer.

Radiotherapy service manager Maria Thompson showed the family the radiotherapy machines in the Cancer Centre and explained how Oliver’s donation will make a difference.

Oliver said: “I wanted to do something to help people like my nan in the hospital and decided to do a bike ride. My family came with me and it was really fun although I was tired at the end. I have enjoyed seeing the machines which help patients and looking round the new hospital which is really big.”

Peggy, who is being treated for lung cancer, added: “We’re all so proud of Oliver for coming up with his fundraising idea. He’s such a lovely lad and is so thoughtful. I can’t believe how much he’s managed to raise – his initial target was £200 and he’s more than doubled that!

“It was very kind of Maria to show the children the machines and explain to them where Oliver’s donation will go and how it will benefit patients like myself. This new Cancer Appeal sounds very exciting and I’m sure donations will come flooding in.”

For more information about the Cancer Appeal or to find out how you can support patients being treated at QEHB, please call QEHB Charity on 0121 371 4852 or visit their website.