Derbyshire man who almost died to take on 750-mile cycle ride

Shane Davies, who is 41, almost died after he was unexpectedly taken ill while driving back from Bristol on the M5.

Having spent a month in a coma and another month in intensive care, the lorry-driver says he is determined to use the second chance he has been given to help others.

Shane, who lives in Hollingwood with his wife and four children, said: “I thought I was having a heart attack but it was actually my organs shutting down as a result of pancreatitis.

“My 14-year-old daughter was with me and called the ambulance from a phone box on the hard shoulder.

“I spent a lot of time in Southmead Hospital in Bristol and then moved to Sheffield later on.

“In the hospital they said it would be three months before I was walking again but I actually ended up shuffling around in about three weeks.”

After coming round, Shane says he was struck by an ‘overwhelming’ feeling that he wanted to use his life to benefit others.

As a result he is now in the process of planning a 750-mile bike ride across England and Wales and up the east coast of Ireland before crossing to Scotland and heading home via England.

“It will certainly be a big challenge and will be really difficult for me but I am sure that will make it more worthwhile in the end,” he says.

Shane hopes his efforts will help him raise around £10,000 for his chosen charities.

These include the Chesterfield FC Community Trust, the Southmead Hospital Charity, Therapeutic Hooves and Teagan’s Star.

At Southmead, the hospital which saved his life, he is particularly keen for the money to go to the intensive care department’s room for visitors who don’t live nearby.

“My wife and my mum had to stay there when they were visiting me - 200-miles from home - so it would be nice if we could use the money to make it a bit more comfortable for people who have to stay there,” says Shane.

More details about Shane’s story can be found at www.facebook.com/davis750 or www.davis750.jimdo.com and you can sponsor him at www.gofundme.com/davis750.

He says he is particularly keen for any companies who want to get involved in supporting a good cause to contact him regarding corporate sponsorship deals.