{"id":165900,"date":"2018-07-10T10:15:29","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T10:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=165900"},"modified":"2018-07-10T10:15:29","modified_gmt":"2018-07-10T10:15:29","slug":"riding-for-a-cause-the-family-refusing-to-let-illness-slow-them-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2018\/07\/10\/riding-for-a-cause-the-family-refusing-to-let-illness-slow-them-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Riding for a Cause: The Family Refusing to Let Illness Slow Them Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a 10-year break from riding, Christopher Hall is back in the saddle and is pedalling further, faster, and more passionately than ever before. On July 14th<\/sup>, he\u2019ll be riding over 100 km with a group of other cyclists who are motivated by one very special goal – to help a young boy recover from an illness and reach his dream of becoming a star on the football pitch.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2017, Hall\u2019s 6-year-old son, Riley, suffered arterial inflammation and a spontaneous vertebral arterial dissection which caused him to have a stroke, leaving him with significant brain damage. Although Riley now has to deal with a host of complications, including cognitive and learning problems, memory issues, and frequent aches, pains and headaches, his spirit remains strong and he and his family are determined to fight back.<\/p>\n

Hall told We Love Cycling that even after doctors told Riley he wouldn\u2019t be able to play football, just weeks after being scouted by a notable local team, the boy vowed to do anything he could to get back on the pitch with his teammates. The Redfearn JFC organization has been like a second family to Riley throughout this ordeal, and it was important to Hall and his wife that the club knew how much their support was appreciated. That desire to give thanks was what got Hall back on his bike after almost a decade.<\/p>\n