A Wiltshire boy is raising thousands to help children with ostomies

Riley raised enough money to buy over 170 teddy bears

A family photo of Riley in a red jacket and a red t-shirt that says — Riley raised enough money to buy over 170 teddy bears

A boy with a stoma said he was “really proud” to have raised more than £5,200 to help other children who use the medical device.

Six-year-old Riley, from Melksham, walked 11km (6.8 miles) on October 28 in support of Buttonney’s Bear, a charity which provides children with ostomies with cuddly teddy bears.

Each bear costs around £30 and Riley has raised enough to buy over 170 bears, each with their own ostomy.

“He was really proud of himself, he was really smiling, it was unbelievable,” said his dad Andy.

“He got to about the seven kilometer mark and said, ‘No, I don’t want to do this anymore; my legs hurt, my legs hurt and I’m cold,’ so we ended up stopping for chips at the local to get him going again,” he added.

Riley carried his very own Buttony Bear in his backpack for the entire 11km journey

A family photo of Riley, wearing a red coat and carrying a backpack with his bear walking away from the camera. He holds his father's hand and walks along the country path. On the right side is a dog in a red neckerchief. — Riley carried his very own Buttony Bear in his backpack for the entire 11km journey

Riley has undergone 11 surgeries, including a vesicostomy at the age of two, which allows urine to drain from his bladder into a bag.

In an effort to find a way to help him cope with the process, the charity gave Riley a soft toy and a collection of stories explaining why the bear has a stoma.

Wanting to help other children with ostomies, Riley hoped to raise £150 to buy five bears, but soon exceeded his initial target.

Riley’s teachers and school friends joined him on the route, including his best friend Ellie

A family photo of Riley, who is wearing a red coat and T-shirt, standing in front of a fence with his girlfriend Ellie. Ellie is holding a yellow and red balloon and wearing a cream puffy jacket. — Riley’s teachers and school friends joined him on the route, including his best friend Ellie

Before setting off, Riley said: “I’m really excited to do my walk because I know it will help a lot of kids like me who don’t have a bear yet.”

Riley carried his very own bear in a rucksack around the village of Bromham and was cheered on by his teachers and classmates.

Riley’s father Andy said the fundraiser has made his son feel less alone

A family photo of Riley with parents Beth and Andy. They are standing under an arch that has been decorated with blue and white balloons. Everyone is smiling and looking at the camera. — Riley’s father Andy said the fundraiser has made his son feel less alone

“His bear is very supportive of him. He can always have that comfort with him wherever he goes,” said Riley’s dad.

“It’s also how he explains to the teachers and other kids at school what he has.

“It was amazing to see him realize that he’s not the only one with a stoma; there are other people who have this stoma and they go through all this too,” he added.