Cycle Challenge success allows Sensory Equipment purchase for Children's Ward

Nursing and Consultancy staff on a specialist children's ward at Southampton General Hospital, were delighted to receive state of the art sensory equipment thanks to the fundraising efforts of a team of four keen cyclists.

The team, consisting of long-term friends Mark Hilder, Matt Day, Andy Fitzpatrick and Mark Johnson, completed a 215-mile cycle challenge across the Trans Pennine Trail, coast to coast from Hull to Southport, over the course of 4 days last October, to raise money for Southampton Hospital Charity’s G4 Nephrology and Haemodialysis Fund.

Mark Hilder, one quarter of the team, holds a strong personal connection to the work of G4 Childrens Nephrology and Haemodialysis ward, which cared for his son Milo. Milo and his twin brother Oscar were born in 2008. Milo weighed 2lbs 13oz, and was found to have chronic Renal failure, which saw him spend time on G4 ward receiving specialist care from the whole team. Milo sadly passed away unexpectedly, just two weeks before his first birthday, and his father Mark has resolved to fundraise for Southampton Hospital Charity, as a thank you for the expert care that his son received.

Thanks to the team’s fundraising, the Children's Nephrology and Haemodialysis Ward have been able to purchase a sensory unit costing £3,000, which will benefit young patients undergoing treatment, and help to create an environment which exceeds expectations. Mark visited the ward on Friday 9th April, to see how the sensory unit was being used, along with partner Elaine and son Oscar, and Trans Pennine team mates Matt Day and Andy Fitzpatrick.

Mark’s next fundraising challenge is lined up for May 2010, when he will be joined by a team of over 20 friends and colleagues from Carte Blanche Greetings Limited, to climb Mount Snowdon. Through this challenge, and other ongoing fundraising activities, the team hope to reach their goal of raising £25,000 for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton General Hospital, where Mark’s son Milo also received specialist care. To sponsor the team, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/cbgclimbsnowdon|.