The Lee Valley Velodrome a bastion where athletes from across the globe come to compete. It’s here that feats of human endurance have been made, records have tumbled, and dreams have come true.
Wheels whirl, legs pump, hearts hammer and sweat drips whilst voices yell words of encouragement to teams of cyclists racing around the Velodrome under the gaze of the world’s finest track and road cyclists, all in the spirit of raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). With Dani Rowe, Matt Rowe, Callum Skinner, Mark Cavendish, Jody Cundy, Dean & Russ Downing and Victoria Pendleton all providing their expertise and advice how could any of these riders fail?
How and why did this take place? Every year, GOSH sees more than 5,000 children with serious heart conditions. By supporting the GOSH cardiac research fund, ‘The Velodrome Challenge’ helps scientists find new ways to help little hearts recover, including personalised approaches that are tailored to a level of accuracy that’s never been possible. Using state-of-the art imaging and computer modelling to understand the likely outcome of treatment, treatments of the near future should allow doctors to make the best possible decision for each child.
I was lucky that the only things I suffered as a child were bumps and bruises. Others are not so lucky. A great friend’s daughter has spent most of her childhood (every 4 months) in and out of the GOSH. I cannot imagine the inner turmoil and anguish that a parent goes through when one’s child is diagnosed with a condition that requires the attention of GOSH. This extraordinary hospital has always depended on charitable support to give seriously ill children the best chance to fulfil their potential.
Having seen first-hand the care and attention that the GOSH staff give to both the child and parent whilst under their care; when approached to see if we would like to help the charity with their fund-raising event at the Velodrome there was no debate. Providing drinks to thirsty riders who in turn raised over £350,000 which went towards the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation funding the cardiac research at GOSH.
Thank you to all those that took part making it a wonderful day and evening. How apt that it was at this setting that a new record was achieved by the Gordon Ramsay Foundation Trust for GOSH.
A better future for seriously ill children starts here.
