'We owe his life to them'
Sara McKeith says she owes her son Dominic's life to Leeds General Infirmary's ward 10 and the Children's Heart Surgery Fund.
Now she wants to give something back to them for the second year running, after raising more than 700 in 2007 through a sponsored walk.
Four-year-old Dominic has battled with illness since he was born prematurely and spent 13 weeks in the neo-natal unit. At eight months old he was diagnosed with the rare Kawasaki's disease, which causes fever and inflammation, and later suffered acute liver and kidney
failure.
Last year he spent 14 weeks on the ward after heart surgery, but thanks to his bravery, determination and the caring staff, he is now preparing
to start school.
Along with her mum, Jan Abdy, of Pildacre Croft, Ossett, Mrs McKeith will cycle the 31-mile round trip from Ossett to Holmfirth on May 10.
They are calling on schools, businesses and sponsors to help them smash the 700 they raised last year and Mrs McKeith, 25, said: "The LGI staff have been so good with him and if it wasn't for them he wouldn't be here today. We owe his life to them.
"My mum and I are like best friends and have always been really close, so it's brilliant to share these challenges.
Mrs Abdy, 50, said: "Having not been on a bike for a long time, it's a bit daunting. But it's a challenge and we will do it, even if we have to walk and carry the bikes on our backs.
"We are trying to get schools involved to hold events like a non-uniform day and donate half their proceeds to our cause, so hopefully more will get involved."
Mrs Abdy is now working to get local businesses to sponsor them as well as Ossett Fire Station, who supported them last time around.
The family will also be holding a fundraising stall at Ossett Gala during the summer.
Mrs McKeith, of Clifton Place, Wakefield, added: "We've begun contacting lots of people for sponsorship, but the more we can get the more the we can help support the great work the hospital does."
For more information or to sponsor the fundraisers, contact 07877 999895.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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