Great-grandfather and epic fundraiser, Derek Farndell will be clocking up the miles by going nowhere when he embarks on a static bike ride in support of two charities later this month.
The Rising Sun pub on Buxton Road, Hazel Grove, will host Derek’s two-day, 200-mile ride on October 20 and 21 to raise funds for the Treehouse Children’s Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital and the When You Wish Upon a Star organisation.
Derek who is 72 and lives in Hazel Grove, is classed as disabled, yet it hasn’t stopped him getting on his push bike over the years to raise tens of thousands of pounds for various good causes.
He explains; “It’s my way of saying thank you for the wonderful care Stepping Hill 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 the 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, grandad of five, and great-granddad of one, has taken part in a few long-distance sponsored bike rides to support the local NHS charity, Stockport NHS Charity. Previous routes have taken to London, Scotland, Wales, Dorset, Lincolnshire, and Coventry.
He adds: “This will be my first static ride, and I’m so grateful to the Rising Sun for hosting my challenge. They are a great bunch of people and I know they will be supporting me all the way. In the past I’ve raised funds for the Endoscopy Unit and dementia care, but this time I’ve chosen to support the When You Wish Upon a Star charity, which grants wishes to children living with life threatening illnesses, and the Treehouse Children’s Unit. 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 an inspiration to all who meet him. His determination and generosity to support others knows no bounds. On behalf of all our young patients and staff on the Treehouse Unit, 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.”
Jen Hughes, North West Regional Fundraiser for When You Wish Upon A Star children’s charity added; “We grant wishes for children living a life-threatening illness. The money raised by Derek and his friends at the Rising Sun in Hazel Grove will help us grant more Magical Wishes. Times are so hard right now, and we couldn’t grant so many Wishes without people like Derek. This December we are thrilled to be taking families from across the UK to meet the real Father Christmas in his home, Lapland.”
If you would like to support Derek’s static fundraising ride, then contact Derek on mobile 07927 737897.