Coast-to-coast riders go the extra mile...

TEAM members (from left) Riccardo Tiano, Ryan Smith, David Stewart and Anthony Grundy

THE father of a premature baby joined a cancer survivor for a gruelling coast-to-coast cycling challenge, to thank Royal Oldham Hospital.

Ryan Smith, whose son was cared for in the neo-natal intensive care unit after being born prematurely last January, and Anthony Grundy, who got the cancer all-clear following treatment at the hospital's Christie unit, teamed up with work colleagues to help repay the fantastic care they and their families had received.

Joined

Being novice cyclists didn't deter them from organising a 200-mile bike ride from Southport, on the west coast, to Hornsea, on the east.

They were joined by David Stewart and Riccardo Tiano from their workplace, an Oldham PFI coalition known as Inspiral - a collaborative team made up of Great Places Housing Group, Wates Living Space and John Laing, who manage more than 600 affordable homes in the borough on behalf of Oldham Council.

They aimed to raise £2,000 but smashed their target to generate £3,000. They presented this to the hospital and had a tour of the facilities that their money will help to run.

Ryan said: "It feels amazing to be able to give something back to the unit that helped my son.

"The ride may have been physically and emotionally exhausting, however it was nothing compared to seeing my new-born so unwell. My colleague Tony had a tough time last year and the support and treatment we both received was first class and to get the all clear was something we were all waiting for.

"To be able to thank the staff at Oldham was incredibly important to us all. We never dreamed we would raise so much and following everyone's generous donations, we would love to make it an annual event.

"Although maybe something less difficult next time - I'm thinking a bungee jump, or maybe climbing Kilimanjaro!"

Pleasure

Shelley Owen, from the fundraising office at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are overwhelmed to receive this generous donation for the Royal Oldham Hospital.

"It was a pleasure to welcome Ryan, David, Riccado and Anthony to the hospital to meet staff and hear more about their coast-to-coast challenge.

"This donation will make a real difference to patients on both units. On behalf of the trust, I would like to thank the team and all those who supported them for considering the hospital in this special way."