Saddling up as a thanks for Joshua

A special cycle ride is to be held to thank Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for its treatment of a young Deeping St Nicholas boy who was born with a hole in his heart.

Joshua Lawson was just six weeks old when his family were told of the condition in 2014.

It meant young Joshua needed open heart surgery, which ideally he should have had when he was three or four-years-old.

However, due to complications, the operation was brought forward to April 2015 when Joshua was just
16 months old.

Thanks to the fantastic care Joshua received at GOSH, he’s now a perfectly happy five-year-old.

The fundraising drive comes from Joshua’s parents Emma and Tom Lawson.

In a statement they said: “The treatment and support given to Joshua and his parents was outstanding, from food, somewhere to sleep or a shoulder to cry on.

“The calming atmosphere is second to none from Disney characters to a musician singing and playing nursery rhymes on his guitar and letting the children join in with tambourines and drums.

“From the moment we walked through GOSH doors to the moment we walked out I can honestly say the team at GOSH did their utmost to make it as comfortable and calming as possible.

“I could never repay what they have done for Joshua and my family but we would like to try and put a little bit back in and see the great work continue for future children and their families.”

Family member Josh Wright, a sales manager at the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding, has already held bike rides for charity and he said he was delighted to put on another one to raise funds for GOSH.

It takes place on Sunday, September 16 and will see a host of cyclists start from the Castle Sports Complex and take on a 60-mile route around The Deepings and Stamford.

In previous rides Josh has raised more than £1,000 for Macmillan and the Anna’s Hope charity.

Now he’s turned his attenttion to raising £500 for GOSH after seeing what it’s done for Joshua.

Josh said: “GOSH is a brilliant children’s charity and it has also been brilliant to my partner’s cousin when he was treated in the hospital.”

Entry is £15 per person. You can sign up on the day or by ringing the Castle Sports Complex on 01775 762178. A collection tin is in the cent reception.