Go go Matthew! Newman student's epic virtual journey to Kenya

Thirteen-year-old Newman College student Matthew Senior has ADHD.

He is really struggling with isolation thanks to all the excess energy and frustration he has, so he has taken it upon himself to create a positive situation and cycle over 6,300 miles on a virtual journey from his Chadderton home to the Chaddy Mission School in Nakuru, Kenya!

With the support of his family and support worker Dave Hunt, Matthew uses his one hour a day to cycle as many miles as he can and then continues indoors on an exercise bike.

In just a few days he has already almost 200 miles.

Staff at Newman College have said that Matthew are inspiring them to get out to exercise and walk a mile themselves, to support him on his journey.

He is clearly having a positive impact on everyone. 

Matthew’s mum, Mandy Senior, said: “His ADHD is one of the things that has made him take on this challenge - he was finding being in all the time really hard and he decided to put his energy to good use.

"Matthew wanted to help his favourite Learning Support Assistant with something she is passionate about."

Matthew's LSA Jenny Roberts is the Vice Chair and co-founder of Chaddy Mission Kenya.

Mandy added: “He said that people view ADHD as really negative and all they see is the running about.

"He did say that everyone else feeling trapped and unable to get rid of their energy in lockdown is how he feels every single day.

"The cabin fever and the need to get out, feeling others are keeping you in even though you know it is for the best - that's the frustration we are all feeling.”

Matthew's totalgiving fundraising page can be reached here

Meanwhile, fellow Newman pupil and budding singer Michael Ankers, who is 15, has also done his bit in aid of the Chaddy Mission as he produced a Twitter Live Charity Concert last night. 

He has raised over £80.

Michael's totalgiving fundraising page can be reached here

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