Grateful Dad to Cycle Wales in a Day

Devoted dad Ben Simmonds is planning to pedal for pounds when he tackles Wales in a day from top to bottom to raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that looked after his premature daughter Willow.

Tiny Willow weighed just 1lb 11oz when she was born on September 17th last year at just 26 weeks and five days. She was cared for in NICU at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for three months before she was well enough to go home for Christmas.
Now Ben from Attleborough is determined to raise money as a thank you and is training hard for his 190 mile challenge.

Ben said, “The care and attention our daughter received was amazing. Our journey through NICU had its ups and downs and at times seemed never ending. Without the expertise, care, compassion and understanding of the NICU staff and all of the consultants and specialists involved in Willow’s care, we would not be the family that we are today. We cannot thank everyone enough. She is our miracle.
By taking part in this challenge we wanted to help raise money and awareness in order to provide the same much needed support to other families and their little ones throughout their own NICU journey.”

Wales in A Day is a tough challenge event and means cycling through a whole country from top to bottom in just one day, 26th September.. It is 190 miles through the Welsh countryside from the picturesque town of Caernarfon to Chepstow, taking in the Llanberis and Gospel Pass.

Louise Cook, fundraising manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ben has decided to raise money by undertaking the Wales in a day challenge. I believe it is the first time a supporter has undertaken this event for our hospital charity and we wish him well. We are always touched when parents who have experienced our care decided to support and help our hospital charity.’’

Louise added: “We are so grateful that people support 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 and family.’’

For further information about NNUH and to find out how to support the charity,
please call 01603 287107 or visit www.nnuh.nhs.uk.
To sponsor Ben please visit his online giving page https://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Simmonds2