Essex dad tackles ride for his baby girl

Adrian Neill from Braintree, Essex is taking on a 50 mile bike challenge to raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

Adrian is fundraising for the NNUH charitable fund to say thank you to the NICU department for the care his daughter received after she was born. Two day old Maisy Neill was transferred on Friday 15th February 2013 from Broomfield Hospital, Essex to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Six days after Maisy arrived at NICU she was well enough to leave hospital with her mum and dad to go home to Essex.

Adrian said: “The hospital was amazing. The care and attention our little girl received was amazing. Without exception I've never met such a dedicated team of nurses. We were put at ease the second we walked through the door. Also as we were quite a way from home, the staff ensured we were able to stay on the ward for the six days Maisy was a patient which was absolutely invaluable.

“I wanted to say thank you in some small way and a bike ride seemed to be the best way. As my little girl battled so hard in the first days of her life, it seems only fitting that I battle just as hard and try and complete the 50 mile ride. I do a little bit of riding, but do struggle with 20 miles at the moment, so this will certainly be a challenge!”

Local firm of solicitors, Holmes and Hills, based in Halstead, Essex, are organising the bike ride on 15th September and have generously agreed to donate entrance fees for Adrian’s team of riders (Team Neill) to the hospital charity, in addition to donations raised by the riders. At the request of Adrian, all the money raised will be ring-fenced to spend on equipment in NICU.

Louise Cook, fundraising manager at NNUH, said: “We are thrilled that Adrian has decided to raise money for NICU by getting a team of cyclists together. We are very grateful to Holmes and Hills and all the team of cyclists, who include riders from a local cycling club 'Braintree Velo' for their support.

Louise Cook added: “We are so grateful that people support the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund. Whilst the NHS provides the necessities, the charity funds projects that make the hospital experience a better one for our patients, visitors and staff. We are always looking for people like Adrian to get involved in fundraising so please contact us if you would like to help.”

For further information about NNUH and to find out how to support the charity please call 01603 287107.

To sponsor 'Team Neill' please go to www.justgiving.com/teams/Neill