Somerset Road Project Team Riding 100 miles in Support of PEEPS

On the 10th September 2021, members of the Somerset Road Project Team from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Willmott Dixon, Cundall, Hopkins and Turner & Townsend will be riding 100 miles around the Isle of Wight in support of PEEPS.

Dave Rivers, our Associate Director from Cundall, has been involved with the Somerset Road project at the AELTC since the start. On the 3rd of August last year, Dave and his wife Beth, were ecstatic to welcome their second child into the world, Sullivan Thomas Rivers. However, despite a straightforward pregnancy and seemingly perfect labour, it immediately became apparent that all was not well. They subsequently learned that Sulley was suffering from HIE (https://hiehelpcenter.org/what-is-hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy/), in short a severe shortage of oxygen to his brain and the rest of his body for reasons that they will ultimately never know. The hospital staff were able to stabilise him and he was transferred to the baby intensive care unit in Queen Charlotte's hospital where they were able to spend three wonderful days with him.

Unfortunately, even with the best care imaginable, the damage to his body was too severe and he passed away on the 6th August.

While there was no happy ending to their story, there are many other parents who are fortunate enough to have their babies survive in similar circumstances. However, in a large number of these cases the impacts can be life changing in a different way. Survivors can experience everything from mild developmental difficulties to the need for full time care. This is where PEEPS come in, a small charity, providing support to those affected by HIE and raising awareness of this rare condition. They have been a real help to Dave and his family, and the team unaminously agreed therefore to donate the fundraising from the bike ride to PEEPS to allow them to continue the amazing work they do.

This is by no means an elite cycling team! Many of us have not ridden a bike for some time and some don't even own a bike!! However, we recognise the excellent work that PEEPS do, and the impact it can have on the lives of children like Sulley and their families and are willing to peddle like crazy on the 10th September for this excellent cause.

Any donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received and on behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank you in advance for any contribution you can make. It offers a small crumb of comfort to Dave and his family knowing that Sulley is still able to have a positive impact on the world even if he can't be with them, and we thank you in advance for your generosity.

Wish us luck...........we're going to need it!