Work pals use pedal power to boost our appeal by £3,259

8:52am Friday 11th April 2008

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FIVE colleagues teamed together for two days of torture and raised a staggering £3,259 for our Guardian Angels Appeal.

The Norwich Union workers took to their bikes and tackled the hills of the North York Moors - covering 85 miles in only two days.

Shaun Neads, Chris Amor, Chris Smith, Glenn Isles and Lee Naismith said it was the hardest thing they had ever done in their lives.

But they were spurred on by the plucky courage of Shaun's three-year-old son, Charlie, who faced a fight for life after being born 12 weeks prematurely.

The youngster, who is a picture of health today, weighed only 3lb 10oz when he was born, but battled through - and even survived a collapsed lung.

Proud dad Shaun, of Clifton Moor, in York, said: "We were thinking of Charlie when we were cycling and he helped us get through it - that and the thought of being in the pub with a couple of pints.

"It was really hard-going - probably the hardest thing most of us have ever done physically.

"If it had been flat, it would have been fine, but we were constantly going up and down hill.

"It was a massive achievement for us and we're so grateful to everybody who supported us and to Norwich Union for doubling the money we raised."

Soon after birth, Charlie had to be rushed to Sheffield Hospital because York Hospital did not have the equipment he needed.

The Guardian Angels Appeal aims to raise £300,000 to fund a new high-dependency unit for children at York Hospital.

It would mean many more seriously-ill youngsters like Charlie would be able to stay in York, rather than being transferred to hospitals in cities further afield.

Shaun, 29, said: "After going through what we did, we know how important the Guardian Angels Appeal is, and that's why I wanted to do this bike ride.

"The sooner York Hospital has this unit the better and I'm really proud that we've done something to help."

If you are holding a charity event, let us know about it and we can publicise it in The Press to make sure as many people as possible support your efforts.

Phone Nicola Fifield on 01904 653051 or email nicola.fifield@thepress.co.uk.

If you want to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels appeal, to Guardian Angels, The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.