After his daughter underwent major hip surgery, Paul Ferguson completed a gruelling coast-to-coast ride, raising £3,426 for the hospital that supported her recovery.
A Dronfield dad has cycled the entire length of Britain, from Land’s End to John O’Groats, to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, following his daughter Lauren’s life-changing surgery earlier this year.
Paul Ferguson, a local police officer and father of two, took on the 1,009-mile ride to say thank you to the team at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, who supported his daughter through complex treatment for hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip socket doesn’t develop properly, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
Lauren, now 18, first began experiencing pain at age 14 during netball matches, rugby games and long family walks.
Paul said: “When I was watching her play, she’d get through the first and second quarters, play well, then her face would change, we could see the pain develop. She’d grimace, limp and too often there were tears.”
Their journey took them from GP appointments to a diagnosis at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, after extensive x-rays and MRIs. Initially, Lauren was treated with steroid injections, which provided temporary relief, but the pain returned.
Eventually, the family met with an orthopaedic surgeon, who recommended a periacetabular osteotomy, a major surgery to realign the hip socket.
Paul said: “It wasn’t an easy decision. She was just 17, it affected her driving lessons, her exams, her 18th birthday. But we realised the pain was from bony impingement, which is when bone structures in a joint rub against each other, leading to pain and restricted movement. Without surgery, this risked future arthritis.”
Lauren underwent surgery just three weeks before her 18th birthday. Her mum moved into the hospital with her, supporting her through every step of recovery.
Paul said: “The team who conducted the operation, the nursing care, the physios, even the lady who brought her toast, everyone, they were incredible.”
Paul had always been a keen cyclist with a sense of adventure, and with his 50th birthday approaching, he and a close friend, Jim, decided to finally take on the ride they’d dreamed of for years.
He said: “A long time ago, my mate, Jim, and I said that when we’re 50 years old, we’re going to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats and here we are. Jim did it for Weston Park, I did it for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. Both amazing causes.”
The 14-day challenge saw the pair cover 1,009 miles alongside 16 other cyclists, all riding for different charities. They faced torrential rain, gruelling climbs and long days in the saddle.
“Riding out of Loch Ness was horrendous, torrential rain, strong wind and a huge ride uphill, it was miserable! I got through more Sudacrem than I thought possible. But we kept each other going.”
At the end of day 13, they reached the North Scottish coast.
“We had a pint watching the sunset at Bettyhill. It really brought it home that we had made it. On day 14, we rode 50 miles before we reached John O’Groats. Me and Jim hugged each other with tears in our eyes. A collection of 18 strangers became a really close group.”
Paul raised £3,426 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, smashing his target of £1,009, thanks to the generosity from family, friends, colleagues and even strangers.
Paul said: “I am incredibly proud of our achievement. The money raised helps Sheffield Children’s go above and beyond for families like ours, funding life-saving equipment, facilities and research.”
Paul hopes to inspire others to take on their own fundraising challenge.
He said: “My advice to anyone contemplating taking on a big challenge is don’t talk about it. Say out loud you’re going to do it and commit. Make the plans. Set up the fundraising page. Make it an inevitable, not a maybe. Do it, then bask in the sense of satisfaction in being able to say to yourself you did it, you achieved your goal, and you did your bit to help.”
