A FATHER from Lymm is attempting to cycle from one side of England to another to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Michael Cullen will set off on the 215 mile journey on August 6 with seven others from Southport, and will hopefully touch down in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, after three days of riding.

The 27-year-old is taking on the challenge in order to “give something back” to the staff at Alder Hey, who he says have dramatically improved the quality of life for his six-year-old son Jake.

Michael said: “Alder Hey basically changed his life for him and I want to give something back to them as a thank you.”

Jake was born two months premature with myelomeningocele spina bifida – a condition where the baby’s spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.

This can lead to problems later in life such as weakness or total paralysis of the legs, urinary/bowel incontinence, and a loss of skin sensation in the legs.

It requires frequent surgery and hospital appointments, which Jake currently undergoes.

Michael says Jake does so with a smile on his face and without complaint.

The eight riders will be sporting T-shirts with Alder Hey’s name on for their journey, and have been in training for weeks now to make sure they’re up to the task.

Michael added: “We’ve never done anything like before!

“We’re currently training for it now, we’re going out twice a week – 20 miles on a Wednesday and 40 miles at the weekend – which is quite a lot really.

“It’s quite hard to get [80] miles in because we all have families, but we’re all determined to make sure we do it.”

So far Michael’s GoFundMe page has raised more than £2,350 in donations.

n If you would like to support Michael’s cause, you can do so here by visiting https://uk.gofundme.com/f/acausewecareabout