News
220-mile West to East bike ride for men dressed as grannies to raise funds for disabled Irlam twelve-year-old girl
13 Jul 2023
Irlam single dad Darren Bailey and three friends will be cycled 220 miles from Southport on the West coast to Hornsea on the East coast over three days 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. This year, they decided to opt for the bike ride instead.
‘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.’
Freya's Dad
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: ‘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.’
Freya's dad
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: ‘We’re delighted that this years event was a success and wish Darren all the best with his continued fundraising.’
To donate to Freya’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/freyaslittlelegs/
