Hi, Ian , Mark and Andrew - (Wardy Cookie and Kirky) will be cycling from London to Amsterdam to support Alder Hey Children's Charity in June 2024, covering approx. 350 miles nearly 6000ft of climbing in just 4 days traveling through 4 countries.

We are three old friends who have all had children who have been lovingly treated by this amazing hospital.

We want to give something back and are challenging ourselves to this adventure in the summer.

So a little bit more about ourselves:

Wardy’s Baby Henry now 6 months old, (try training for a ride of this proportion with no sleep) was sent to Alderhey to remove a Cyst when he was 3 weeks old.

The speed, professionalism and dedication the paediatric team gave was 2nd to none and our small child changed instantly to a happily bubbly little baby. Our local hospital did not have the training to complete the small operation on such a small child and we are forever grateful for the care provided

Cookie’s Son Charlie (4yrs), was born with suspected Hydronephrosis (fluid on the kidney) after an antenatal scan revealed an abnormality.

Charlie spent the first two years of his life under the care of Royal Surrey hospital and then the Countess of Chester. He had regular scans, tests and antibiotics to prevent any infections.

In 2021 we were moved into the care of Alder Hey and Charlie was further diagnosed with a urinary tract obstruction for which he underwent a minor operation in 2022. This was unsuccessful in removing the blockage and we are currently awaiting further assessment.

Charlie is well and you wouldn’t know that he had an underlying condition. We have been lucky so far in that he hasn’t suffered with any infections.

The care at Alder Hey has been wonderful and Charlie enjoys playing with the toys when he goes in for a scan.

We are very fortunate to have such a great facility in the North West and whilst we always hope we will not need it, we are very grateful it is there.

Kirky’s son Max, was diagnosed with kidney cancer on his second birthday in December 2021. We were in and out of alder hey with the chemotherapy starting within a week of finding out. There were a few speed bumps in the road along the way with a reaction to the chemo which started to shut down his liver, a 9hour operation to remove the cancerous tumours followed by 3 wks of radio therapy, all with the chemo continuing in the background for 12 months.

So to the present day…he is now four years old, in remission and consequently living with chronic kidney disease which entails regular checkups/x-rays/ultrasounds and daily medication along with having to drink a minimum of one litre of water a day which is a challenge in its self.

Please donate generously for this fantastic cause