AN eight-year-old boy is aiming to complete his own Yorkshire-style triathlon to raise money for the homeless.

Gabriel Wakefield, who is a pupil at Rosedale Abbey Primary School, decided to take on the challenge to support the charity Shelter.

He said: “I thought about doing it after Red Nose Day when I realised the things you can do to raise money to help people.

“The idea of helping homeless people probably started at Christmas time because we went to York and there were people sleeping on the streets.

“We started talking about how some people don’t have a home in this country, not just in other countries where there are wars. That really shocked me. I don’t like to think of people on their own with nowhere to live.”

Gabriel said he was aiming to carry out the triathlon from his home in Cropton to Whitby, by cycling, walking, and canoeing on the Esk over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

“My dad has measured the distance and it will be about 20 miles from Cropton to Whitby,” he said.

“He’s coming with me and we’re going on our bikes to the Roman Road, and then we’re walking, and then we’ll be in a canoe along the Esk to Whitby. That’s where we’ll finish. I’m doing a little bit of exercise every day to prepare for it.

“At the weekend, I cycled around Cropton forest. I am a bit nervous about how hard it will be but I think I’ll be okay. I’ve got lots of Kendal mint cake.”

Gabriel’s parents, Ewan and Melanie said: “We’re really proud of him. Especially because it is coming straight from his heart, and so we want to support him.”

To sponsor Gabriel, go to justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Gabriel-Wakefield