A GROUP of cyclists are set to take on a 62-mile charity bike ride from Barnsley Hospital having been inspired by a premature Royston baby who received life-saving care.
The event - which will see the team cycle from Barnsley to Tameside Hospital and back again - will raise funds for the two neonatal teams who cared for Herbie Richardson, who was born nine weeks early in November.
Herbie was transferred for specialist neonatal care to Tameside due to a shortage of neonatal intensive care unit beds in Barnsley at the time.
In a show of gratitude, Herbie’s mum Jess and her partner, Sam, and friends are taking on the bike ride to raise funds for the neonatal teams who helped them through those difficult weeks.
Jess said: “When Herbie arrived nine weeks early it was an incredibly frightening time for us.
“Because there were no NICU beds available in Barnsley we were transferred to Tameside where both of us received such amazing care and support.
“The teams at both hospitals helped us through one of the most challenging times in our lives.
“This bike ride is our way of saying thank you and giving something back so other families going through similar experiences can be supported, too.
“Through the four weeks Herbie was in NICU - one week at Tameside and three weeks at Barnsley - we were offered so much love and support from both the nurses and doctors who helped us all through this difficult time.
“In our NICU journey we noticed how under-appreciated and under-funded the staff and hospitals themselves are so we are wanting to give back to both places - Tameside for supporting Herbie when he took his first breath and giving him the best start to life and Barnsley for continuing that support and helping him grow into the amazing little baby he is today.
“Without both hospitals I don’t know where we would be right now.”
Neonatal units care for babies who are born under 27 weeks’ gestation and Barnsley’s has 14 cots.
Jane Mills, charity development manager at Barnsley Hospital Charity, added: “Stories like Herbie’s highlight just how vital neonatal services are and how hospitals work together to ensure babies receive the care they need.
“We’re delighted to support this inspiring fundraiser and are thankful to everyone taking part.
“The funds raised will help us continue improving the environment and support available for families whose babies need specialist care.”
The ride will take place on April 10 and Emily Whelan, charity manager at Tameside and Glossop NHS Charity, praised Herbie’s family and friends for their idea.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jess, her partner and their friends for taking on this fantastic challenge.
“Neonatal care makes a life-changing difference for babies and their families, and fundraising like this helps us provide additional equipment, resources and comforts that go beyond what the NHS can fund.
“We wish the cyclists the very best of luck and are proud to be working alongside Barnsley Hospital Charity to support such an important cause.”
