A St Albans man will cycle 250 miles to raise money for the hospital and charity supporting his six-year-old neighbour as she battles with a little known genetic condition.
Daniel Sizer, 35, is currently training to join a team of five men cycling 250 miles across the country at the end of April.
Bessie Davis was diagnosed with a condition called Neurofibromtosis (NF1) in 2014.
Within weeks of an MRI revealing brain tumours and optic nerve tumours, she had deteriorated from having mild symptoms like pins and needles in her arm, to being unable to get out of bed, falling over all the time and ultimately being confined to a wheelchair.
Bessie was quickly referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she immediately began a gruelling 18 month course of chemotherapy and physiotherapy to treat tumours on her brain and optic nerves to try and get her back on her feet.
Daniel, who lives across the road from Bessie in Ladysmith Road, was so impressed by his little neighbour’s incredible bravery that he has vowed to join her uncle to bike an incredible 250 miles over four days to raise money for Great Ormond Street and the Neuro Foundation, which has given Bessie’s family invaluable support.
The ride is the brainchild of Bessie’s uncle, David Orchard, and will see David, Daniel, a family cousin and two other friends undertake the long journey from Bessie’s mum’s home town of Plymouth all the way to St Albans on just two wheels.
The team, who have already raised £10,000, will set off on Thursday, April 23 in Plymouth, cycling around 80 miles a day in order to cross the finish line at St Albans City School, where Bess is a pupil, at lunchtime on Sunday 26.
They hope to be joined by Bessie in a bike trailer for the final leg, up St Peter’s Street.
Bessie’s family and friends will be welcoming the riders back with a special Grand Finish Fete from 11.30am until 2pm in the school playground with a BBQ, cakes, raffle and family games to raise more money for these great causes and raise awareness of NF1.
Daniel said: "I just really wanted to do something to help. Bessie has been so brave and is a real inspiration to us all.
"I’ve never undertaken a distance anything like this before so it’s really exciting, if a little daunting.
"However Bessie has chosen a special ‘Bessie bear’ to come with us on the ride to keep us out of trouble and make sure she is with us the whole way."
Bessie said: "I can't wait to see my Uncle Dudu and Daniel when they get here, as well as my Grampy, who is driving behind them.
"My class and teachers in school are helping to make a 'Finish' banner so we can all cheer them in. Hopefully they won’t be too tired to enjoy the party."
To donate, click here. Follow the progress on Twitter via: @FollowBessie.
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 here