A WEST Felton boy has raised more than £1,000 for charity after taking on a biking challenge.

Charlie Hughes, aged 10, completed a seven-mile bike ride on Saturday to raise funds for the National Autistic Society.

He decided to take on the challenge as part of World Autism Week, and wanted to raise money and awareness by taking part in the Super Seven challenge.

His mother, Michelle Hughes, said she is very proud of him for completing the bike ride and raising so much money.

She said: “He initially wanted to raise £100, but he’s raised more than £1,000 now which is really pleasing.

“He’s really proud of himself – he didn’t practice too much for it, but he does ride his bike quite often, just not for a distance of seven miles.

“He just got up and did it on the day. I’m really proud of him for his effort with this.”

Charlie, who is autistic himself, was one of many people to take part in the Super Seven challenge – an initiative launched by World Autism Week to encourage people to raise money and awareness through a challenge with the theme of ‘seven’.

Michelle added: “Charlie is autistic himself, so he wanted to raise money for this charity which supports autistic people.

“But also he wants to raise awareness in society about autism and to help people understand a little bit more about it.

“He thinks it’s important in friendships that people understand him and why he does certain things he does.”

Charlie said he is very grateful to everyone who donated to his fundraising effort.

If you would like to donate to Charlie’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Michelle-Hughes48