Dad takes on charity ride after son’s serious illness

A grateful dad is preparing to take on a 173 mile bike ride for a charity which helped support him and his wife when their son was critically ill.
Pictured is Marcus Leverton and his son Harry, centre, with fellow bike riders at Pelican Cycles as they prepare for a 173 mile ride for the Sick Children's Trust.Pictured is Marcus Leverton and his son Harry, centre, with fellow bike riders at Pelican Cycles as they prepare for a 173 mile ride for the Sick Children's Trust.
Pictured is Marcus Leverton and his son Harry, centre, with fellow bike riders at Pelican Cycles as they prepare for a 173 mile ride for the Sick Children's Trust.

Marcus and Laura Leverton, of Walton, Chesterfield, have raised £47,000 for the Sick Children’s Trust with black-tie dinner events after son Harry was treated at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

And now Marcus and seven pals aim to complete a sponsored cycle challenge for the charity which provides free accommodation at the hospital for relatives while children are undergoing life-saving care.

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Marcus, 38, said: “Our son Harry was only 18 months-old when he had to go into hospital with three viral infections which shut his airways down and he suffered a bowel perforation and was poisoned.

“Harry had to undergo surgery and was in intensive care and on a life support machine and we would spend many hours at the hospital like many other mums and dads in similar situations so the trust’s work is vital.”

Harry is now six-years-old and goes to Holymoorside Primary School and will be cheering his dad and his pals across the finish line when they take on the ride on May 26.

The gang is aiming to cycle from Buckingham Palace to the trust accommodation Magnolia House, at the hospital, with pals Charlie Ratcliffe, Christopher Clark, Andrew Edmondson, Marek Kaczmarczyk, Neil Armitage, Dan Lymer and Steve Fisher.

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GK Group in Chesterfield is also providing a support mini-bus which will be manned by Harry’s grandfathers Tony Leverton and John Turner during the ride.

Marcus’ friend Neil Armitage, of Pelican Cycles, is also providing kit and expert support.

Those interested can sponsor the gang by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/teamhomefromhome2014 or visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org to find out details about the charity.

A table of ten is still available for Marcus and Laura’s latest charity evening dinner, at The Chesterfield FC Proact Stadium, on April 26, at £55 per person. Anyone interested can call Marcus on 078111 82411.