A dad cycling to all Leicester City's away games to raise money for research into his son's rare condition has been given a massive boost.
Richard Page, 28, started the text "ellis" campaign at the start of this season and is aiming to raise £100,000 to help find a cure for MECP2 duplication syndrome, the rare genetic disorder his son Ellis suffers from.
Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has now pledged to donate £1,000 for every ground he rides to this season – a total of £23,000.
Cycling to each of the 23 Sky Bet Championship away fixtures during the 2013/14 season will see Richard clock up 3,500 miles.
He said: "I'm totally overwhelmed by the huge generosity the owner has shown us.
"I'm sure this will be a huge motivation when we're cycling in freezing temperatures over the next couple of months."
Football League sponsor Sky Bet is also backing Richard's campaign and gave Ellis a sixth birthday to remember in the directors' box at the Amex Stadium when Leicester took on Brighton on Sunday.
Ellis was also given a chance to see his heroes up close, when he, Richard and his mum Leanne, 27, of East Goscote, were taken out on to the pitch before the game.
Richard was interviewed pitchside and saw donations flood in after the game, taking the running total to nearly £26,000.
He said: "It's great to know people are really getting behind the text "ellis" campaign.
"I think the campaign really resonates with other dads and football fans and people from all over the country have donated generously."
Brighton also donated a signed Albion shirt to the campaign, which will be auctioned at an end-of-season golf day.
Richard said: "It was a pretty tough 171-mile cycle to Brighton, which I did with my brother-in-law, Aaron Lagor.
"I had cycled to Sheffield on Tuesday with Gary, Ellis's great-uncle and when we got back we were up at 7am the next morning to start the journey to Brighton.
"Ellis had a fabulous birthday weekend in the directors' box and was fixated on it for the whole game. It's just a shame about the result.
"So far I've cycled about 1,300 miles, with 13 more games to go.
"With pledges, including the fantastic amount from the club, we'll have about £42,000 which is getting close to being on track for the £100,000 target we're aiming for.
"What the chairman did for us is a massive boost.
"I certainly didn't expect it because the club is already helping us in so many other ways with things such as tickets.
"I can't thank the club enough."
To make a donation, text 70070 with "MECP77" followed by £1, £2, £3, £5 or £10 or visit:
richard@textellis.com
