My name is Andrew Sleeman, owner of Spokes Cycles in Littlehampton.

During the month of June I was taken ill with stomach cramps and, unusually for me, I had to visit Worthing Hospital late on Tuesday night.

From the minute I entered the A&E department I was treated exceptionally well from reception to triage and then on to the emergency ward at some ungodly hour Wednesday morning. I was seen again by a doctor and given some morphine that took the pain away, but by this time I was starving and the very nice nurses found me some food from somewhere, which I was exceptionally grateful for!

The next morning I was seen again by doctors and nurses and sent for a scan, but again, porters and X-ray staff treated me well! They then took the decision to operate on the removal of my appendix, which I appreciate is routine but for someone who has never been ill and is self employed is a difficult pill to swallow, not being able to open my cycle shop!

When I was being prepared for the operation, a nice lady doctor, who was doing the operation, explained everything, then the anaesthetist came to visit and explained extremely well about how I was going to be put to sleep, post operation information and recovery when I was moved on to Chiltington ward.

In Chiltington ward, I was looked after extremely well with lovely nurses and doctors who looked after me as for me it was first operation I have ever had.

I then noticed a little area put aside for raffle prizes and asked what was that about, then being told they were trying to raise money for a “put up bed”(called a “glide away”) for relatives to stay there with loved ones if they needed too.

I decided at this point that our nurses on our wards in Worthing Hospital go above and beyond to make strangers comfortable and feel part of their family when entering the hospital, so to speak, on their wards!

So I then offered a cycle which will be raffled to help raise money alongside their efforts to enable them to buy a bed for relatives to stay beside their loved ones if needed.

Furthermore I mentioned this to my good friend Liam O'Connell, who together have done various sponsored bike rides for various charities over the years, so we have both decided along with the raffle prize to organise a charity ride along the new cycle lane from Littlehampton to Bognor in fancy dress!! (optional). The distance will be 25 miles all on the cycle path.

So this is why we are asking you to join in our ride or donate on this just giving page set up specifically for Chiltington ward at Worthing Hospital.

Thank you ,

Andrew Sleeman

Just some further information of the kind of people that have helped myself and Liam in organising and taking part as Marshals, etc. in previous charity cycle rides and keeping things on track, especially Katy Callaghan, Ian Buckland (ex-mayor of Littlehampton) , Paul Ryan (managing director, Rainbow) and many others not mentioned.

We are also hoping that a single company will match the funding whatever we raise in sponsorship to go towards helping Chiltington ward's new "glide away" beds as our mission is to help with whatever we can to help make patients and relatives have a better experience when dealing with some distressful news, or just to stay with a relative after a successful surgery!

Our mission is to gather 100 cyclists with each donating a minimum of £30.00 per person

Date of ride is 30th September, 2018 starting from Manor House Car Park, Littlehampton at 10 am.