Kidneys for life support research into kidney disease, along with providing equipment to renal units and patients’ homes across the UK.

This cause is very close to my heart as it supports Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital Childrens Dialysis unit, where my 9 year old football crazy nephew Josh is cared for.

In August 2018 ,a fit and healthy Josh went into sudden ,severe kidney failure following a seemingly innocent ear infection. This took a turn for the worse and he needed to be admitted to intensive care and was then in hospital for over 3 months .He has subsequently been diagnosed with Dense Deposit Disease , a rare autoimmune kidney condition ( 1 in a million ) which means he kidneys have totally stopped working and he is in end stage renal failure. He currently has to have dialysis for 4 -5 hours, 3 times a week and will need to continue to do this until his condition is more stable and then can consider the possibility of a kidney transplant . Even still there is a high chance that this condition could return to a transplanted kidney and he will need to continue on dialysis to survive.

Josh and his family have had their lives turned upside down but are so greatful he survived some very dark days in intensive care , that he has a chance and for the amazing care he has received. Josh has a central line in his neck , is on a very limited diet intake (including only 800mls of fluid per day ) and worst of all, he is unable to play his beloved football. Through all the injections , operations , medications and gruelling dialysis, Josh has rarely complained and his courage has been inspirational . Josh and his family are trying their best to adapt to life as full as possible and josh has been able to return back to school on a part time basis. 

The family are hugely grateful for the care, compassion and expertise of all the health care professionals who work in the Children’s Dialysis Unit Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital and would love to raise funds to improve the technology and care available to all patients and will be so appreciative of any donation – large or small – that you can make. 

I will be completing the race with my good friend Caroline Shanks. The race itself is a 7 day road race across the Pyrenees. We will be cycling up to 150 km a day with up to 3500 metres of ascent. This will be a very tough challenge for us, both physically and mentally.

Every penny will make a difference.

Thanks for reading