Hayman-Joyce presents….Project 35!

Established in 1991, this September will see Hayman-Joyce turn the ripe old age of 35. The team felt this should be marked with a challenge like no other. Several ideas were batted around but in the end we settled on a 35 hour endurance event – non stop peddling on a static bike, starting at 7.00am on Thursday 24th September and finishing at 6.00pm on Friday 25th September. The team will take it in turns on Bike 1 and we will have Bike 2 available for anyone to hop on in support of our challenge.

Following tradition we have made this a fundraising event, this time choosing to support The Grand Appeal, the official charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Four of our team have had children or grandchildren treated at the hospital. All are now well and thriving, but each was an experience that will never be forgotten!

Here are our stories:

Anna

Our son William was diagnosed with hip dysplasia just before his first birthday. Missed at the 6-week check, it wasn't until he started trying to walk that we noticed something wasn't right. More commonly found in first born daughters, William is our third child and a son! The initial treatment, non-surgical casting from the waist down, did not work, and we were quickly upgraded to the wonderful team at Bristol Children's Hospital. Our wonderful consultant Mr Thomas performed the surgery, and William continued to wear a cast all down one leg for a further few months. It was undoubtedly a challenging time (at only one year old we were still negotiating highchairs, pushchairs, nappies and car seats) but we came away from it extremely grateful that it wasn’t anything more serious. There are some incredibly unwell, and seriously brave, children being treated in that hospital.

William last saw Mr Thomas earlier this year. He will have one more check-up before being “released into the wild” as a 5’10” (and growing) teenager who loves rugby, cycling, running, swimming and now golf. Without the intervention of the NHS at this wonderful hospital, he would be walking with a limp and looking forward to chronic arthritis by the age of 30. William will show his appreciation by joining in on the endurance ride, hopping on to Bike 2.

We remain grateful every day for the incredible work of the staff at the hospital.

Adam

Bristol Children’s Hospital holds a very special place in our hearts. When our son, Alfie, was just four days old, he underwent life-saving surgery that changed the course of his life forever.

During the most frightening and uncertain time imaginable for myself, my wife, and our wider family, the incredible surgeons, nurses and staff provided not only world-class care, but also compassion, reassurance and hope.

Today, Alfie is a thriving, energetic toddler, full of life and personality. His journey hasn’t ended with that first surgery; he has since undergone further procedures and continues to receive specialist care through Bristol Children’s Hospital. Seeing him grow and flourish is a constant reminder of the extraordinary work they do every day, and of just how much we owe to the people who have cared for him.

These 35 hours will undoubtedly test us, but they are also an opportunity to give something back to a hospital and a team of people who have given our family so much.

Every mile we ride will be for Alfie, for the incredible people who have cared for him, and for the many children and families from the South-West who will need Bristol Children’s Hospital in the future.

Sharon

My grandson, Rowan, was born with a cleft lip and palate. When he was just 11 months old he underwent his first surgery to repair his lip. Although I knew the surgery was necessary, I found it incredibly distressing. As a grandparent, it was difficult to see his beautiful little face change, and I worried about how different he might look afterwards. The care Rowan received after his surgery was amazing. He was treated with such kindness, patience and tenderness, and I will always be grateful to everyone who looked after him. Rowan went on to have two further surgeries to repair his palate. Each operation brought its own worries and challenges, but throughout it all, the wonderful team continued to care for him and support my family. Now, at six years old, Rowan is a happy, confident little boy with a personality as big as his smile. And what a smile it is – a great big, beautiful, perfect smile that lights up his whole face. Looking back those early days were incredibly difficult, but I feel so lucky that Rowan had such wonderful people around him. I will always be grateful to the Bristol team for the skill, care and compassion they showed my precious grandson.

Tom

In February 2026, whilst out riding, our daughter Bea was kicked by another horse and suffered a significant leg injury. What followed was every parent's worst nightmare, as she was admitted through the Major Trauma Pathway at Bristol Children's Hospital.

Over the days that followed, Bea underwent two complex operations.

The surgical team including both plastic and orthopaedic consultants have given Bea the opportunity to make a full recovery with minimal scarring.

What we, as a family, will remember most is not just the medical care, but the compassion and support we all received.

From the surgeons and nurses to the therapists, healthcare assistants and support staff, every single person at Bristol Children's Hospital treated Bea with kindness, dignity and understanding. They supported not only our daughter but our whole family through one of the most frightening experiences of our lives.

During the ten days we spent at the hospital, we witnessed the extraordinary work they do every day for children and families facing unimaginable challenges.

We are raising money for Bristol Children's Hospital as a way of showing our gratitude to the staff who work tirelessly to help so many children and families when they need it most.

If our challenge can help give something back to the people who gave so much to our family, then every mile, every hour and every donation will be worth it.

Thank you for your support. ❤️

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