Chorley boy runs every day in January to raise money for Derian House

Seven-year-old Finn Steele from Chorley clocked up more than 30 miles as he ran to raise money for Derian House, based in the same town.

The wintery conditions did not deter Finn, who raised more than £1,700 for the charity in the process.

Finn out on one of his runs (Image: Derian House)

He was cheered on by family and friends and has been shown support by Chorley boxer Jack Catterall, radio DJ Shaun Keavney and BBC Saturday Kitchen presenter Olly Smith.

Finn caught the running bug last year when he joined mum Becca and dad Jode on a couple of jogs to keep up his fitness for his favourite hobbies – swimming, judo, and rugby with Chorley Panthers.

The youngster took on his ‘run every day’ challenge that has since seen him run up and down Rivington Pike, race through Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston, and speed around the Chorley Panthers pitches with his fellow teammates.

With Finn’s total of £1,700, Derian House could provide three months of activities, days out, and ice creams for poorly children and their siblings.

Finn raised more than £1,700 during his challenge (Image: Derian House)

Finn, a year 3 pupil at Sacred Heart Primary School, said: “I learned about Derian House at a Chorley Panthers fun day last summer. I know how much Derian House do to look after poorly children and their families and I want to help them.

“My favourite run out of all of them was with my teammates – we did two laps of the huge Panthers’ pitches. The furthest I have run is all the way up to Rivington Pike and back. I was very tired!

“On day 22 we ran to Frederick’s Ice Cream in Chorley. I’ve been eating a lot of vegetables to keep me going so it was nice to have a treat. I had chocolate ice cream in a really fancy cone with sprinkles on it – and I had a hot chocolate”

“I just wanted to do something to help the children at Derian House – I’m shocked and amazed at how much we raised. I can’t wait to do more! But in February, I think I’ll be doing a lot of resting and sleeping.”

Some of Finn's Chorley Panthers teammates joined him on one of his runs (Image: Derian House)

Finn’s dad Jode said: “We’re so very proud of Finn. When we asked who he would like to run for, he said ‘Derian House, of course!’ He committed to his challenge and ran through it with a huge smile on his face – even in the most horrendous conditions.”

Ann Marie Fishwick, community fundraiser at Derian House, said: “We have really seen Finn ‘Steele’ the show” His determination is incredible and we are really grateful that he has chosen to raise money for our children and young people here at Derian.

“It will cost £6m for Derian House to run services in 2023, so we rely on our amazing supporters like Finn who go the extra mile.”

Finn’s donation page is still open. To donate, click here to go to the Just Giving page.