Team Bobby: police officers to cycle 84miles for poorly three-year-old

Bobby Griffin from Poole, who has Chromosome 14q Deletion Syndrome, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disorder and Hypotonia, commonly known as floppy baby syndrome, is unable to sit or stand unaided and is fed through a tube.

As a baby, he was sick up to 20 times per day and his parents are currently planning to build an extension on their home for Bobby to have his own wheelchair accessible bedroom and wetroom.

His parents, Jay and Leanne, were providing round-the-clock care for their little boy, while looking after Bobby's siblings, Kayla, five and Connie, one, but this pressure has lessened slightly, they say, since he started attending Langside School.

Jay has organised a cycle from Poole to Portland which will take place on Saturday, September 17, and is being supported his colleagues at Dorset Police and ex-police officers, as well as Daily Echo photographer, Corin Messer.

Jay said: "I want this to be a challenge because all three years of Bobby's life have been a challenge for him.

"The group is predominantly made up of serving and retired police officers. We did the ride last year and a lot of planning has come from that.

"We are hoping to raise as much as possible for Bobby's bedroom and wetroom. At the moment, he's on an inflatable mattress in our room, which he is growing out of.

"At the moment, we have roughly £20,000 which is incredible as the majority of that has come from the public support.

"There will be 16 solo riders and then two relay teams of five people each, who will do what they can between them to cover the 84 miles."

Leanne added: "We need to do what we can to fundraise before the build, which is happening in April or May next year.

"The sickness he had is calming down, but as he is getting bigger, he is getting harder to carry."

His parents went on to say that washing him is getting more difficult as his head must be supported at all times.

For more information, go to Gofundme.com/bobbysfuture