Boy, 13, visits all 270 Tube stations in a single day in memory of brother
Alasdair Clift, from Wirral in Merseyside, raised £11,000 for the Bloodwise cancer charity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 13-year-old boy has completed a challenge to visit all 270 London Underground stations in one day in memory of his older brother.
Alasdair Clift, from Wirral, Merseyside, took on the "Tube Challenge" to raise money for charity Bloodwise after his brother Adam, 17, died from lymphoma in March.
The teenager began his journey at Chesham station at 5.15am on Monday and finished at Heathrow airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning, having navigated the entire Underground network.
Alasdair, who is "fascinated" by transport, has so far raised more than £11,000 in donations - far exceeding his original target of £100.
After spending nearly 20 hours on the tube with his father, Richard Clift, 50, the schoolboy arrived at Terminal 5 to applause from a welcome party of relatives, Tube staff and police officers shortly before 1am.
Addressing the crowd, as the achievement sank in, Alasdair said he felt "tired, but proud and happy" for the huge support he had been shown.
He said: "This has been an ambition of mine for a while. In 2013 my brother was diagnosed with lymphoma and unfortunately after many rounds of treatment he passed away in March. I've done this challenge to hopefully give other people a better chance."
Mr Clift said the kindness shown by fellow travellers and tube workers had been "phenomenal".
"We have had a very warm day on the tube and in terms of feeling shown to us. We have had terrific support, with people sticking their heads into the carriages saying how wonderful we are and the Transport for London staff have been right behind us. Alasdair felt like a star."
Mr Clift said they had been touched by the "random gestures of complete strangers" who donated along the way.
Alasdair was allowed to ride in the front cab for the first two journeys of his challenge and was given a certificate recognising his achievement from Mark Wild, managing director of London Underground, at Southwark station.
Mr Clift earlier said he and his wife Caroline, 51, had been "overawed" by Alasdair, who single-handedly arranged the challenge.
"We're very proud - and very proud of his organisation skills because Caroline and I have had absolutely nothing to do with it," he said.
Donations for Alasdair's Tube Challenge can be made through JustGiving.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments