DEREK AND LEO'S FINAL PUSH FOR STOCKPORT’S POORLY CHILDREN

Unfinished business is how great-grandfather and epic fundraiser, Derek Farndell describes his very last ride in support of Stockport NHS. However, this time he will have his 11-year old grandson, Leo with him and the pair will be clocking up the miles by going nowhere!

72-year-old Derek Farndell is once again going against the advice of his doctors to complete a 24-hour static bike ride in the main entrance of Stepping Hill Hospital on September 21-22.

He says its to make up the miles he would have covered if he hadn’t had to cut short his last fundraiser through ill health - Edinburgh to Stepping Hill Hospital, a gruelling 315 miles in just four days.

He and Leo are raising funds for the Tree House Children s Unit but over the years Derek who lives in Hazel Grove, and despite now being classed as disabled, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Stockport NHS Trust.

He explains; “ It’s my way of saying thank you for the wonderful care hospital staff gave my wife Mary when she had breast cancer and me seven years ago, when I was severely ill in intensive care. I have suffered for a long time with severe hernias and chronic stomach disease, but in 2016 I was rushed to Stepping Hill Hospital’s A&E. During surgery they tell me I died three times in theatre and was in an induced coma for over four days.

Although his life was severely threatened, thankfully he was able to recover and go home with the help of the hospital’s surgical, ITU and medical teams. Since then former JCB-driver Derek, a dad of four, granddad of five, and great-granddad of one, has taken part in a number of long distance sponsored bike rides to support the NHS charity. Previous routes have taken to London, Scotland, Wales, Dorset, Lincolnshire and Coventry.

He adds: “ In the past I’ve raised funds for the Endoscopy Unit and dementia care, but this time I’ve chosen to support the Hospital’s poorly children. We lost our daughter with cancer when she was just six and that was a difficult time for the whole family. Now, with happy and healthy grandchildren, and our first great grandchild, we feel so blessed. “

Karen James OBE, Chief Executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust says; " Derek is not well and we have advised him once again against undertaking such a strenuous challenge . But he is determined to finish what he started in July. So, on behalf of all the patients and staff I would like to thank him whole heartedly, wish him the very best of luck with his forthcoming challenge and look forward to supporting him and Leo ."

This ride at Stepping Hill is to make up the mileage from Edinburgh to York, as that is part of the ride that I was unable to complete. The mileage comes to 204 miles in total which is the reason I am doing a static ride at Stepping Hill. I am hoping that as this is my final bike ride for the NHS, that my ongoing supporters from the beginning continue to support my last ride and hopefully brings new supporters. Thank you to each individual that has supported my bike rides over the years and I wish you all the best.