Posted on: 19 Jun 2018
A children’s renal consultant is taking on ‘The Sheriff’ – a gruelling 125-mile cycle ride – to raise money for his young patients at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
Andrew Lunn, Consultant in Paediatric Nephrology at the Children’s Hospital, is taking part in Cycle Live this weekend (Sunday 24 June). He is raising money for the Big Appeal, which aims to raise £4m for improvements to ward areas, family accommodation and imaging equipment at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, which is based at the Queen’s Medical Centre.
Dr Lunn said: “The Big Appeal will make a huge difference to the children and families who come to the hospital. It is really important to me and my patients because we want to offer facilities, treatments and undertake research to ensure we deliver the best quality care that we can for children within Nottingham and across the region.
“I am a keen cyclist and I have previously ridden some of the shorter distances at the Cycle Live event. I know how well organised and what a fun day it is. The children and families we treat face challenges every day and I wanted to ride a distance I would find a challenge in order to raise money for the Big Appeal.”
Cycle Live participants can choose between a 25, 50, 75, 100 or 125 mile route, and Nottingham Hospitals Charity has a limited number of FREE places available to participants who commit to raise £150 or more in sponsorship.
Riders who raise £100 or more will be entered into a prize draw to win a Specialized Diverge E5 Sport road bike (RRP £999.99), generously donated by Rutland Cycling and Specialized Nottingham.
Cycle Live is organised by Nottingham-based Perfect Motion. Owner and director, Chris Simon commented: “We are delighted to have the Nottingham Hospitals Charity on board for Cycle Live this year. Alongside a new charity partner, we’ve made some changes to the routes for 2018. The longer routes are a little more challenging, whilst the 25 and 50 mile options take in a bigger southern loop of the county which is a little flatter. Entries are ahead of this time last year, which is great and we’re now expecting over 4,000 to take part.”
Nigel Gregory, Director of Development at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re thrilled that Dr Lunn is taking part in Cycle Live in aid of the Big Appeal – not only that, but he’s also taking on the biggest challenge of the day, the 125-mile ‘Sheriff’ route. I have a huge amount of respect for anyone willing to take that on, and it’s doubly touching that Dr Lunn is doing so in aid of his own young patients at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
“There are still a few days left to sign up, so I hope people across Nottingham will take a leaf out of Dr Lunn’s book and sign up today for this fantastic cause. And you don’t have to take on the 125-mile route, there’s a distance suitable for all capabilities, so get in touch with us today to join in the fun.”