Mum leads 24-hour cycle ride after son treated for meningitis
A mum whose baby son was treated for meningitis at Nottingham Children’s Hospital is organising a 24-hour cycle ride to raise money and thank staff for their care.
Alex Alder’s son Dylan was just seven weeks old when he was admitted to Nottingham Children’s Hospital with what turned out to be meningitis.
Alex was so grateful for the care her son received that she was inspired to apply for a job in the children’s hospital team – and now not only works there, but is also organising a 24-hour static cycle ride with her colleagues to raise money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity.
Dylan was born in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was rushed to hospital at seven weeks old after he became unusually drowsy.
Alex explained: “He was sick a few times, sleepy, and just not quite himself. I then put him down in his moses basket and he fell straight to sleep which doesn't sound like something worrying, but Dylan has always been a terrible sleeper and would never fall asleep like that so instead of enjoying an easy nap break, I couldn't switch off and had alarm bells ringing in my head that he wasn't right.”
After a call to 111, Dylan and Alex were taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre via ambulance, where tests showed he had meningitis.
Alex said: “It was about 4am at this point and as it was in the middle of a COVID lockdown, I was there on my own with him and felt so worried and upset. I was given some information to read and told that meningitis can be very serious, especially as he was so little, and that it could be fatal or lead to loss of limbs, sight, hearing and so on.
“Due to COVID restrictions, there was only one parent allowed on the ward at any one time and due to Dylan being only seven weeks old and exclusively breastfeeding, I couldn't switch with my wife at all – so I was there on my own for the week and she was unable to see Dylan at all. She was great and speaking to me lots and doing a daily drop-off of snacks and clothes!
“One of the nursing staff in particular picked up that I was struggling being there on my own and worrying, and he spent time talking to me – not just about meningitis, but just talking to me and helping me feel more normal for a bit. He was also very reassuring and answered my many questions to help me understand what was happening. All the staff were lovely and kind during a stressful, scary and isolating time.”
Dylan is now a happy, healthy and thriving five-year-old, and Alex was so inspired by the care they both received that she later decided to apply for a job to work at the children’s hospital herself. She began working there as a Directorate General Manager for Medical and Emergency Pathways in June 2025, and is now fundraising to raise money for the hospital alongside her new colleagues.
The team are taking on a 24-hour static cycle ride at the Queen’s Medical Centre main entrance, from midday on Wednesday 3rd June to midday on Thursday 4th June.
Alex said: “As a new children's hospital management team, we have been discussing how to reinvigorate some fundraising for Nottingham Hospitals Charity, as the charity supports so much of the vital work we do, and we benefit from grants across all of our services.
“We were discussing different ideas, and I suggested we do a charity cycle. We thought about aiming for a certain distance, but then decided 24 hours would be a great challenge!
“I am really excited for the challenge, but a bit nervous about how it will all go! I just hope it is a success and we manage to raise a good amount of money to boost the charity’s children's hospital fund.”
The team taking part in the cycle ride includes doctors, nurses, administrative staff, managers, finance staff and the youth services team.
Michelle Dorman, Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to the Nottingham Children’s Hospital team for taking on this huge fundraising challenge! It’s extremely moving to hear Alex’s reasons behind wanting to fundraise for the children’s hospital, and great that her colleagues have all come together to support this.
“The money the team raises will go towards providing specialist equipment and child-friendly enhancements for other babies and children like Dylan, and parents like Alex, who come through the doors of the children’s hospital. We’d like to wish the whole team the best of luck with their challenge!”
To sponsor the team for their 24-hour bike ride, visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/nottinghamchildrenshospitalcycle