150 MILE WEST TO EAST BIKE RIDE FOR MEN DRESSED AS GRANNIES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR DISABLED IRLAM TWELVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL

Irlam single dad Darren Bailey and his friends will be cycling 150 miles from Southport on the West coast to Horsea on the East coast this July dressed as grannies to raise funds for specialised physiotherapy for Darren’s twelve-year-old Freya.

Freya was born with two holes in her heart and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She has had numerous operations, the most recent in February. Her physiotherapy, which is not available on the NHS, costs around £1,000 per month.

Dad Darren Bailey, 51, a water engineer, has been holding annual ‘Scooter Grannies’ races since 2016 to help raise funds for an operation which helped ease Freya’s pain. He now has to continue to raise money for ongoing physio which helps to keep her mobile and means she can continue to ride her adapted bike and go swimming.

Darren said:

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‘Originally I was thinking of some kind of event with us dressed as superheroes but my friend Olive, who is 80, said: ‘Everyone does that, why not dress as grannies? So I took myself to the charity shop, bought some outfits and Scooter Grannies was born.’

In previous years, Darren and his colleagues have scooted from Irlam to Blackpool, Irlam to Chester,  Huddersfield to Irlam and Anfield to Old Trafford. This year he decided to shake it up and try a longer race, though on bikes instead of scooters. They are sponsored by local businesses who sponsor the race to continue to pay for Freya’s physiotherapy.

Darren said:

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‘As ever I’m grateful to all my loyal mates who take part in my events every year, as well as the local businesses and individuals who donate money to help Freya. The funds raised continue to provide physiotherapy and essential equipment for Freya to make life as comfortable and pain free as possible.’

'As well as her ongoing physiotherapy, which costs £240 each week, I am constantly having to buy or upgrade equipment as she grows and her needs change. I’ve already had to remortgage the house to make the adaptations she needs, and there is always something else that needs paying for, even aside from her physiotherapy.’

Darren is currently struggling to get Freya’s care provision increased and worries about how Freya will be cared for in the future. ‘If it was just me, I’d probably just give up,’ he said. ‘But I need to keep on fighting for Freya. I’d do anything for her, but it is exhausting.’

Gill Gibb, CEO of Tree of Hope said:

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‘We wish Darren all the best with his latest event and are sure the local community will get behind him as usual.’

To donate to Freya’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/freyaslittlelegs/

If you are a business who would like to sponsor the event, contact Darren via https://www.facebook.com/groups/665578000278565