NOT content with having already cycled hundreds of miles from Oxford to Paris, one uncle has barely time to put his feet up before tackling the OX5 Run - all in honour of one brave little girl.
George Young, from Kidlington, battled the elements to cycle from the John Radcliffe Hospital to the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 7.
The 19-year-old took on the gruelling feat to raise money as a thank you to Oxford Children’s Hospital where his niece Clara Smithson is currently being cared for.
Clara was born five weeks early just days before Christmas.
Soon after her parents Dean and Acacia Smithson were told Clara had been born with a rare bowel disease leaving her with just 75 per cent of her small intestine- a condition call short gut syndrome.
She was rushed into surgery just 12 days old and has since had to face four further surgeries now three months old.
Her mum Acacia Smithson, from Stonesfield near Witney, said: “The care we have received has been phenomenal, the surgeons, doctors, nurses, play specialists they all treat us like humans not just patients.
“Everyone makes you feel as comfortable as possible, in an uncomfortable situation.”
Clara’s condition means the youngster was also born with her stomach on the wrong side, her liver in the wrong place and without a spleen.
As a result she is hooked up to a machine 20 hours a day, three days a week.
Mrs Smithson's brother Mr Young said: “I wanted to do something to help. I have seen how well my family have been looked after and we wanted to help ensure other families get the same experience in the future.”
Mrs Smithson has been staying with Clara at the Children’s Hospital and said Clara is expected to be in hospital all year.
She said: “The facilities mean I am always here to be her parent, and it allows us to still be a family.
“That coupled with the medical care they give will make her stronger.”
After completing the mammoth cycle Mr Young said: “It was Adrenalin and motivation that kept me going, despite the torrential rain during the final 90 miles.”
He said he is happy to have raised more than £4,500 for ‘such an important cause’ and is now looking ahead to the Oxford Mail OX5 run on Sunday.
Mr Young will be joined by Clara’s parents Mr and Mrs Smithson plus a team of family and friends tackling the five mile fundraiser.
For details visit http://bit.ly/2FLWcMp or to donate http://bit.ly/2Ix6Loj
To sign up for the OX5 go to http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/ox5run/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel