Irlam single dad Darren Bailey and four friends will be cycling from Manchester to Blackpool dressed as grannies on July 6 to raise funds for specialised physiotherapy for Darren’s thirteen-year-old daughter, Freya.
Freya was born with two holes in her heart and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and has undergone numerous operations. Her physiotherapy, which is not available on the NHS, costs around £1,000 per month. She is currently awaiting another operation to help straighten her spine.
Dad Darren Bailey, 52, 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. This year, they decided to opt for the bike ride instead.
Darren said:
“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, and last year they did a three-day coast-to-coast cycle from Southport to Hornsea, raising around £2,500. They are sponsored by local businesses who sponsor the race to continue to pay for Freya’s physiotherapy.
Darren said:
“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 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.’
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Freya with healthcare needs where the NHS can’t support and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.
Becky Andrew, CEO of Tree of Hope said:
“Darren’s dedication to Freya and his creative approach to fundraising is truly inspiring. We are proud to support him, and wish him and his friends the best of luck with their latest challenge.”
To donate to Freya’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/ways-to-give/childrens-campaigns/freyas-little-legs/
