AN Oldswinford schoolboy has raised more than £3,300 in memory of a tragic friend by cycling 150 miles along canal towpaths.

Zane Skinner was joined by dad Tom last weekend as the pair rode along the side of the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham Children's Hospital to Great Ormond Street in London.

Eleven-year-old Zane wasn't even deterred when he fell in the water - bike and all - on the first day as he racked up the cash in tribute to pal Tom Mole, who died after a sudden illness in 2018.

Stourbridge News: Zane after his unshceduled dip in the canal

It was the schoolboy's second fundraiser for Birmingham Children's Hospital in memory of Tom, after he banked £2,000 by running a marathon around his local streets during the first lockdown last year.

Dad Tom, group fleet sales manager for Midlands Truck & Van Ltd, accompanied his son, arranging bed and breakfast stays on Friday and Saturday nights.

He said: "He fell in once, complete with bike - he managed to drag himself out as I was too busy laughing once I knew he wasn't hurt - but he did it!

People can still donate to Zane's fundraising by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-skinner5.

Dad Tom added: "Complete strangers gave us donations, which was amazing, and The Anglers Retreat in Tring where we stayed on Saturday, wouldn't accept any money for all our food and drinks because of what he was doing.

"I went along to chaperone him, but this was all about Zane and his efforts. He didn't moan once - he was brilliant!

"The most important thing too is all about keeping Tom's memory alive."