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Norwich fan completes 'life-changing' 120-mile ride

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Norwich striker Mo Touré met Ranulph on arrival in London and congratulated him on completing the challenge [Victoria Bacon]

A 16-year-old Norwich City fan who completed a 120-mile (193km) cycling challenge to the club's opening away match of the season at Millwall, said it was a "life-changing experience".

Ranulph Bacon, from Norwich, set off for The Den in south-east London after being challenged to the feat by striker Mo Touré.

He had tagged the striker in an Instagram post, promising to make the journey in aid of Bungay Community Support if he replied. Touré responded within minutes, turning the bike ride into reality.

Ranulph, who completed the ride over three days, has raised nearly £3,000 for the Suffolk-based charity. "It was very intense at times, but I knew I was doing something positive," he said.

Victoria Bacon drove alongside her son and supported him throughout the journey [Victoria Bacon]

Touré, 22, told BBC Look East that a friend alerted him to the Instagram comment and he was happy to respond.

"It is for a very good cause. Ranulph is doing something really positive for the local community so I thought, why not? It is just a comment."

The striker said he did not realise "it was going to get this big", and that he was glad to make Ranulph "happy".

Ranulph said it was "an honour" to also get the chance to meet the players.

Ranulph has raised thousands of pounds for Bungay Community Support [Victoria Bacon]

He began his ride from Carrow Road two days before the match, making a stop at school to collect his GCSE results.

He and and his mum, Victoria, met Touré on arrival at Millwall's ground ahead of Saturday's match, which the Canaries went on to lose 3-0.

Victoria, who ran the final 2.5 miles (4km) of the journey with her son, said she was "really proud" of him.

She said donations and support from people had been "encouraging" throughout the challenge.

"It was so lovely, people were recognising him and patting him on the back, which was very uplifting," she added.

Ranulph said Bungay Community Support, which helps about 80 people, had done valuable work in the town and surrounding area.

The organisation is seeking £400,000 to buy a community centre and secure its future.

The football fan is now hoping to repeat the challenge every season for a new charity.

"I would love for more people to join me," he added.

Norwich City invited Ranulph to the club's training ground at Colney to meet his hero and talk about the charity ride [Tom Williams/BBC]

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Source: Yahoo Sports

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