Cycle trek to boost charity

9:40am Monday 30th April 2007

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Some people will go to great lengths to express their gratitude - and John Sammons is certainly no exception.

Mr Sammons, from Ambrosden, near Bicester, cycled more than 300 miles from Land's End to Cornbury Park, Charlbury, to raise funds for Oxfordshire charity Rosy (Respite for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters) to say thank-you for the support it has given his family.

Mr Sammons, a 36-year-old garage worker, said he and wife Sarah could not have coped without the help the charity gave them following the birth of their son Kyecorr.

They were told he would not survive two days after suffering oxygen deprivation at birth. He spent his first 12 hours on life support and had brain stem damage which caused cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Rosy supports families who nurse terminally ill and sick children at home and helped the Sammons during their toughest times.

Mr Sammons said: "I wanted to do something to recognise the fantastic support we have had from Rosy and this seemed like a great way to do that."

He and colleague Ashley Watts tackled the journey over four and a half days, cycling about 65 miles a day and camping overnight.

He said: "It was mentally exhausting, but gave me a lot of time to think about the charity I was doing it for.

"Although it was painful at times, I just kept thinking our pain was nothing compared to the youngsters whom Rosy helps."

The ride raised about £5,500 and was such a success it could now become an annual event as others have already expressed an interest in joining Mr Sammons and Mr Watts next year.

To find out more about Rosy, visit its website at www.rosy.org.uk or call 01865 868696.