Naval chain reaction to support baby units

DANIEL Gatenby, fourth from right, back row, with navy riding team and Oldham hospital staff

A ROYAL Navy officer and his shipmates have cycled from Portsmouth to Oldham to support a charity which provides hospital equipment for newborn babies and their mothers.

Lieutenant Commander Daniel Gatenby, who grew up in Hathershaw, led a team from Portsmouth-based HMS Dragon on the 265-mile journey north.

A former Hathershaw School and Oldham Sixth Form College student, 36-year-old Daniel and the team cycled over three days to reach the Royal Oldham Hospital.

He and the team are raising cash for the Ickle Pickles charity, which donates specialist equipment to baby units in hospitals across the UK.

Daniel, a father of three, said: "The charity supported my five-year-old son, Alexander, when he was born nine weeks prematurely. He was cared for at Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital, where he spent over seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital's care was outstanding for Alexander along with myself and my wife. Alexander is growing up now and is a healthy lad."

Explaining more about the charity's work, Daniel said: "Ickle Pickles buys special equipment such as baby incubators and chairs for mums to breast-feed their babies. I wanted to support it, and help both the hospital in Portsmouth and the Royal Oldham Hospital, where I was born.

"It's been quite a challenge. Originally I planned to do the cycle ride alone. However the team on-board HMS Dragon got wind of it and wanted to support me.

"I don't have any previous experience of cycling but some of the others have been riding for a long time. We've also had support from two colleagues driving with us in support vans. I'm really grateful to them all for helping me."

The full cycling team, pictured in the photo from left, included Lieutenant Tom Phillips, Chief Petty Officer Adam Howard, Lieutenant Gary Peterson, Lieutenant David Savin, Lieutenant Commander Daniel Gatenby , Engineering Technician James Avis, Chief Petty Officer Steven Nelson and Petty Officer Adam Thorpe. They were joined by the baby unit staff at the Royal Oldham Hospital for some photos to mark their arrival.

Daniel added: "There are Royal Navy staff here of all ranks and ages. In addition to supporting a good charity and two hospitals, it's been a great example of leadership and team spirit. "

After taking his A-levels at Oldham Sixth Form, Daniel studied maths at the University of Manchester and then worked for Virgin Trains. He then joined the Royal Navy at the age of 24.

HMS Dragon has been based in UK waters recently but will be going to the Middle East next year. The ship is at sea for nine month deployments.

To donate visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/danielgatenby1.