On the 6 June 2015, I’m going to partake in a 100k (62 miles) sponsored bike ride… Why on earth would you do that I hear you cry…
 
Well… I’ll be celebrating my 40 Birthday, a birthday I can share with my beautiful family, Andy, Elizabeth and our son Alex.  A birthday I might not have wanted to celebrate if life over the last few years had been different, I’m doing it for Alex…

In 2013 Alex was born at St Thomas’ hospital, he then was transferred to the Evelina children’s hospital for life saving open heart surgery – so without those wonderful staff members and the care and support he received he simply wouldn’t be here.

Alex’s heart condition was first detected when I was 20 weeks pregnant; the rest of our pregnancy was under the care of St Thomas’s hospital. The compassion, care and emotional support we all received was amazing.

Alex was born, gave a cry and then stopped breathing and was soon being looked after by the wonderful staff in the NICU department where they kept him safe and stable, a few days later we had to wait an agonising 6 ½ hours while he was operated on.  A wobble that night at the Evelina but Alex is a very lucky little boy and lives to tell the tale and came home 3 weeks later…. He can show off his heart warrior scars with pride.

Alex faces more surgery and receives regular check ups, but we are very lucky to have our brave boy and now it’s time to give a little bit back, so that’s why Andy and I, along with some friends are going to challenge ourselves, get on our bikes and cycle … We are cycling for Alex, if he can make it through what he’s been through…whats 62 miles!!.. He is our inspiration and will keep us going.

So my plea to you is, please sponsor us, it’s a great way for Andy and I to know that with the support of our friends and family we have been able to say thank you and have been able to give a little bit back.

Our chosen charity is the Evelina who quite simply saved Alex’s life and has made ours very special.

Thank you so much xx