TWO brothers who were born seven weeks premature took on a 95 kilometre cycle challenge across Wales to show their appreciation – and raise funds – to the award-winning Neonatal Unit at Heartlands Hospital.
Thirteen-year-olds Jacques and Benedict Barker raised over £2,000 during their pedal-powered challenge which started at Church Stoke on the Shropshire border and finished in Aberdovey, Wales.
The brothers are students at Solihull school and came up with the idea for the challenge as part of a lower school diploma project.
They had to research, plan, organise and complete an event and then give a presentation to their classmates during an assembly.
Jacques and Benedict also received help from their sister – Giselle – who helped her brothers fundraise and provided much-needed support.
After their presentation, they handed the money raised over to Sarah Moxon, lead nurse from the Neonatal Community Outreach Team at Heartlands Hospital.
Sarah said: “I am pleased to see Benedict, Jacques and Giselle doing so well after their difficult start in life and especially happy that they have kindly raised this impressive amount of money for our Neonatal Unit where they were treated.”
Heartlands Hospital’s community fundraiser, Uzma Shaheen, said: “We are very lucky to have so many committed supporters of our Charity who are kind enough to take on all sorts of activities and challenges to fundraise for us.
“I would like say a massive thank-you to Jacques and Benedict for their efforts in cycling across Wales to raise money for our Neonatal Unit at Heartlands.
“This unit carries out very important, life-saving work on a daily basis and the money the boys have raised will go towards helping to care for premature babies from across the Birmingham and Solihull areas.”
For more information on the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity or to make a donation to a hospital, ward or appeal, visit www.heartofenglandcharity.org.uk.
