A TROWBRIDGE six-year-old is to cycle 20 miles around the town to raise funds for two charities helping children with Crohn's disease and colitis.

Bertie Steptoe is raising money for CICRA, a charity supporting children with Crohn's and colitis and their families, and Crohn's & Colitis UK, after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis last week.

On Saturday (May 23) in order raise awareness and funds, Bertie will ride from Caen Hill locks in Devizes to Bath Abbey along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath.

His big sister Bella,13, will be cycling with him, as well as mum and dad, Laura Steptoe, 38, and Dean Steptoe, 44, and grandad Don Clark, aged 67.

Mrs Steptoe said: "I am bursting with pride that my little six-year-old wants to do this and I am hoping that people will show him their support.

"He has exceeded his target of £200 already and is super excited."

It's the first time that Bertie, a pupil at Keevil Primary School, has cycled such a long distance and he has been out training with his family.

He has already raised £1,090 plus Gift Aid for the two charities, making a total of £1,330 raised so far.

Mrs Steptoe, of Framlingham Crescent, Paxcroft Mead, Trowbridge, added: "My wonderful little Bertie was taken poorly at Christmas time.

"It’s been a long waiting game whilst we have taken him to see specialists and he has been poked, prodded and tested.

"We have managed to keep his illness relatively under control by adapting his eating habits and regular pain relief whilst we waited for test results and then last week after another painful flare up the test results came back.

"He has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which is a condition that causes inflammation of the bowel.

"This hopefully can be controlled by medication but is something that Bertie will have to live with for the rest of his life.

"I’ve shed many tears as any parent would being so concerned for his health but Bertie is not letting this stop him.

"My amazing son has asked if he can do a sponsored bike ride to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for the charity that support children through this."

To sponsor Bertie, go to to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LauraSteptoe