A great-granddad is set to make an epic bike ride from Holyhead to Hazel Grove to raise money for hospital equipment.
Derek Farndell, 68, together with friends, will be riding a sponsored bike ride to raise money for Stepping Hill Hospital’s Scopeguide fund, finishing off at the Hazel Grove Carnival on Saturday July 13th.
Derek is riding in thanks for the care he received at the hospital back three years ago, when he was severely ill in intensive care. Derek has long suffered from chronic stomach disease and severe hernias, but he was rushed to A&E in June 2016 when his condition became life threatening.
Following major surgery, Derek was in an induced coma for over four days before coming round, and had to have 350 stomach clamps. Although his life was severely threatened, thankfully he was able to make a recovery with the help of the hospital’s surgical, ITU and medical teams.
Since then former JCB driver Derek, husband to Mary, a dad of three, granddad of five, and great-granddad of one, has been busy helping to raise money for the hospital’s Scopeguide fund. He has organised a series of events, including band nights in Reddish and Shaw Heath, but the big bike ride from North Wales will be the main event.
The ScopeGuide will help patients who are undergoing undergo complex procedures such as colonoscopies - which look at the lining of the large bowel to check for bowel cancer, ulcers or growths – by making these examinations quicker, easier and more comfortable. The current equipment is fully effective, but the Scopeguide will be an improvement. The fund needs £40,000, and is currently more than half way there with over £26,000 thanks to many generous donations from the public.
Derek’s bike ride is over 148 miles long, and will take him two days over Friday 12th July and Saturday 13th July. The route will take in Rhyl, Chester, Northwich, Knutsford and Wilmslow, before finishing off with some well-earned relaxation at the carnival.
Derek said “I’d not been on a bike for 20 years so this is quite a big effort for me! I’ve been getting in my practice though so I’m confident I can go the distance. It’s amazing that I managed to get through what I did when I was in hospital and I’m determined to show my thanks by fundraising any way I can.”
If you would like to ride along with Derek, or if you just want to sponsor him or find out about his other fundraising events, you can get in touch at 07927 737897 or derekfarndell@gmail.com or visit the Scope Guide Just giving page at:- www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ScopeGuideFund (leave the comment ‘Team Derek’ with your donation.)