Boy rides 200km to raise money for children's hospital
A decade after fighting for life in the newborn intensive care unit at Royal Children’s Hospital, Fin Warren has arrived back to say thank you.
The 10-year-old decided to ride more than 200-kilometres to raise more than $22,000 for the hospital that saved his life.
“We thought it would be nice to give back to them seeing as they saved my life 10 years ago,” Fin said.
Fin left the Victorian town of Maffra on Sunday, bound for the hospital, and was busking along the way.
“I hope that they’ll get more equipment to help the babies lives,” he said.
The gusty grade four student rode 60km each day, conquering hills, strong headwinds and swooping magpies.
“Oh I’m bursting with pride,” mum Kelly Warren said.
“He’s an inspirational little boy.
“It feels like a lifetime ago ... (when) we were living in Melbourne at the hospital at the time.
“The emotions feel aw raw as if it was yesterday.”
Mrs Warren said the hospital became the family’s home for five months as Fin fought a tough battle. Born with a condition known as Long-Gap Oesophageal Atresia, a congenital blockage in the oesophagus, Fin had three major surgeries in his hospital stay.
Dad Glenn said he knew his son was a fighter the day he was born.
“When he was born, he had a big barrel chest and we knew that he was a soldier,” he said.
“(Fin) was the one with the most energy at the end of the ride and I was quite looking forward to having a beer at the end.”
To donate to Fin's journey, CLICK HERE
