Story
Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my fundraising page
I'm getting back on my bike and cycling from London to Paris again... a different route this time, but still covering 214 miles over three days from 5th - 7th July.
Some of you may remember that in July 2013, together with a great group of friends and family, I cycled from London to Paris to raise money to help my nephew Johnny have a life-changing operation in the US. Five years on, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, Johnny's life has truly changed for the better.
So when my workmate Kevin found himself in exactly the same position, trying to raise the funds for his nephew, Harry, to have the same procedure, I had no hesitation in signing up for this challenge too.
I've seen first hand the amazing progress Johnny has made since his treatment: his new found independence, confidence and opportunity to take part in loads of new activities that he might otherwise never have been able to. It's amazing.
I'd really love to see Harry get the same opportunity as Johnny did, so I'm asking for your help. Please could you consider donating something to the appeal?
We are meeting all our own expenses on the trip, so every penny raised here will go towards Harry Restall's Tree of Life appeal.
And I haven't told the seven other riders how much their bums will hurt by the time we reach Paris. It's better that way.
Here's a little bit more about Harry from his Uncle Kev:
"One small step for Harry
This very special guy is my 5 year old nephew from Duston, Northampton. This very charismatic, cheeky, intelligent boy is an absolute marvel. He is a fighter who fought his upmost to live surviving prematurity, life-saving bowel surgery at one day old and countless sepsis infections whilst in NICU. Unfortunately, Harry didn’t come out of this unscathed. He suffered from a brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia which has manifested as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. This means that Harry’s movements are affected particularly his legs where he is unable to stand or walk unaided. This is a bit of a problem for an active little boy that adores rugby, strictly come dancing and P.E at school! Harry would love to take that first independent step, maybe succeed in scoring a try.
This dream can come true if Harry undergoes a life-changing operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy which reduces spasticity and help Harry to walk. Unfortunately, this operation is not funded on the NHS nor is the intensive physiotherapy that Harry attends at Footsteps in Oxfordshire, which assists with Harry’s rehabilitation. If we succeed in achieving our fundraising goal, Harry would go to America to receive this pioneering surgery.
It would mean the world to Harry, his family & his friends to raise this money so that he can join in with playing with his siblings, his friends in the school playground, to take that first, precious step."
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