Christopher lives with sickle cell disease (SCD) - a blood condition that causes him acute pain, known as "crises" when triggered. Triggers include things like cold weather, stress and dehydration. Sometimes his pain can be managed at home. Occasionally it requires hospitalisation. Christopher is having surgery to remove his spleen, which should help reduce the complications he experiences as a result of the condition.

Christopher, along with his school friends, would like to support The Sickle Cell Society in its work to raise awareness of the condition by taking part in The Year 7 Ridgeway Relay between Tuesday 30 May and Sunday 4 June 2023.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School boys and their families are invited to sign up to cycle/walk one section or more of the 87-mile route to raise money for the charity.

Known as "Britain's oldest road" the route travels the crest of a chalk ridge from Avebury, Wiltshire, to Ivinghoe Beacon, four miles from Tring. It passes through open rolling downland, down to The Thames at Streatley and through beautiful Chiltern woodland before emerging at Ivinghoe Hill Reserve.

The first two days of the challenge are open to cyclists; the latter four days to walkers. Boys and their families can sign up to half-day legs of approximately 10 miles cycling or seven miles walking.

They can sign up to as many legs as they wish to!

They are also invited to join up for the "glory leg" - a 20-minute hike up Ivinghoe Beacon from the car park at its base at approximately 4.30pm on the Sunday.