" On arrival at the start line for our 100 mile bike ride to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Wexham Park Hospital we were informed that the ride length had been shortened to 80 miles.  This was a great shame, as the team had trained very hard and were ready for 100 miles, but looking back it was the most sensible thing for the organisers to do due to torrential rain and flooding.  The roads were not in very good cycling condition, with regular puddles of up to a foot deep. "

"Despite the weather we had a great day and managed to complete the 80 mile ride in just over 5 hours.  The worst part of the journey were undoubtedly the ferry trips.  We tried to keep warm by moving around, but because we were so wet and not cycling, it was very cold indeed."

"We only had one puncture between us which was nothing short of a miracle with all the debris on the roads from the rainfall, and no other incidents “on route”.  Overall we managed to raise £1,900 for SCBU at Wexham Park Hospital and we cannot thank everyone enough who donated, and helped us reach this figure."

"It is a cause that is very close to my heart as this is where my son, Charlie Manders, spent the first 5 weeks of his life after being born 9 weeks premature and only weighed 2lbs 10oz, so a special personal thanks (-to all who supported the ride-) comes from him."  

"I would also like to thank Diana and Lucy for making up the cycling team and helping raise the money.  Charlie is now 18 months old, toddling around and causing mischief as any 18 month old should do."

John Manders. 

John Manders, Physiotherapist at Flint House, and proud father of now 15 months old Charlie Manders is to undertake a 100 mile bike ride to raise funds for the Wexham Park Hospital Special Baby Unit on July 7th

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Along with fellow physio colleagues Diana Lascelles and Lucy Lougher, John will begin the ride from Brockenhurst in the New Forest, down to the coast at Lymington, then a welcome breather on the ferry over to the Isle of Wight. They will then ride around the Island, returning again via Ferry, to Lymington and finish in Brockenhurst.

John says "We are raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Wexham Park Hospital, which is where Charlie Manders (my Son), spent the first 5 weeks of his life.  He was born 9 weeks early weighing just 2lbs 10oz. Following an emergency caesarian section, we heard our little boy cry for the very first time which was amazing to hear as this is not guaranteed at 31 weeks. It meant he was breathing by himself! However, his tiny little lungs struggled that first night and the Doctors had to Intubate/Ventilate him to stop him becoming too tired. Gradually he was weaned off the ventilator and was back to breathing by himself after a few days. This meant that after three days we had our first cuddle (Kangaroo Care!). What an amazing feeling!

This was however somewhat daunting with all the lines and tubes we had to work around, but the nursing staff enabled us to focus on this lovely moment with all the help they gave us. Everything was fully explained and they had such a calm, controlled and professional manner. 

The staff in the unit do a fantastic job and due to all the fantastic care they gave Charlie, he is the thriving lovely little man he is today.  I therefore just wanted to do something in return for them so decided to do a sponsored ride"

The link to Johns Fund raising page is where you can read more about the fantastic work and dedication of the Wexham Park Hospital Special Baby Unit, and make a donation to Johns Ride :www.justgiving.com/wexhamscbu