Story
Nightrider 2012 and Great Ormond Street Hospital
I will be taking part in the 2012 nightrider event – a cycling challenge taking place in London on the weekend of 9/10 June. The 100km (62.1 miles) bike ride will tour the capital’s most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge, London eye, The Royal Albert, the Olympic Park and Westminster to name a few, and is that isn’t exciting enough it will be happening whilst Britain sleeps. Wicked!
Cycling 100 km is no mean feat, so I will be training extremely hard to stay in top physical condition.
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals. Since its formation in 1852, the hospital has been dedicated to children’s health care to finding new and better ways to treat childhood illnesses. Each year, there are over 192,000 patient visits to the hospital. This year GOSH will celebrate its 160 anniversary
Great Ormond Street is sadly battling with buildings that are nearing the end of their useful lives and must urgently be replaced. The redevelopment is necessary in order to maintain and advance for paediatric and research.
Overcoming great odds (from one mile to 62 miles)
The week before my apocalypse I have bought a brand new shinning Italian bike (Buster) I was excited and looking forward to riding Buster to work every day. On the first day, I cheated I got a train half way though the six-miles route, on the second day I repeated the dishonest deed. On the third day I gave up and got a lift in. Thanks Dad! At work I felt sick and really tired, but somewhere found a way to complete my work. I was fortunate enough to get a lift home from a kind woman from Mauritius. What she didn’t expect was me releasing the yellow stuff from another part of my body -- my mouth. I stroll in the house looking like a drunken man on a Sunday morning. But worst was to come, I kept on waking up being sick. At 7pm I told my father I was unwell and couldn’t go in to work tonight. He rushes me to the A and E department, I was in pain, passing out on the hard floor with one eye on my father. I woke up on a bed with wire and needles. I had more wires than a Japanese computer. I was seriously in trouble, fighting for my life. I stop breathing for 12 seconds and was pronounced dead, thanks god for the defibrillation.
I spent Christmas day and Boxing Day in a hospital bed, Merry Christmas Neil! I left the hospital in pain and found it hard to eat because I had a sore throat. I sit down with my father and my step-mother to discus my life. I was a change man; I wanted to put my health at the top of my agenda. A week after my stay in hospital I went for a mile bike ride, reality has now kicked in. I was totally unhealthy, and needed to make changes. “So I did!” started to put on weight with the help of my step-mother fine cooking. mmmm Delicious!
For years I have volunteering in youth clubs and scouting group. But there was one special place in my heart for an absolutely astonishing place, “Great Ormond Street Hospital” (GOSH) I have always respect and love the work the hospital does provide the best possible care for sick children. I checked their website, and found that they have got a Scouting group “The 17th Holborn (Great
Ormond Street Hospital) Scout & Guide Group.” I sent the group an e-mail, telling them about the work I do with my beaver colony, they were really keen on meeting me. On the 20 of January I visited the hospital for the very first time. I feel in love with the place, I sat with one special little girl called Kirsten. She would change my life; sadly she has got cancer and has been in hospital since November. She is totally amazing! We chatted for half an hour talking about her favourite boy band; the Wanted, her two kittens Hope and Derby. I will never forget her. God Bless!
Ormond Street Hospital) Scout & Guide Group.” I sent the group an e-mail, telling them about the work I do with my beaver colony, they were really keen on meeting me. On the 20 of January I visited the hospital for the very first time. I feel in love with the place, I sat with one special little girl called Kirsten. She would change my life; sadly she has got cancer and has been in hospital since November. She is totally amazing! We chatted for half an hour talking about her favourite boy band; the Wanted, her two kittens Hope and Derby. I will never forget her. God Bless!
I wanted to do something not just for Kirsten but for every single child at Great Ormond Street, so I signed up for nightrider 2012 as well as volunteering as a youth worker at the hospital on a Saturday
Thank you for reading my story, please please pleaseeee support me by helping rising money for Great Ormond Street.
I love you all
Neil xxxx
