An Island-based duo is taking on the ride of their lives by cycling from John O’Groats to the Isle of Wight to raise money for a local children’s charity, Layla’s Trust, which was set up in memory of baby Layla Mae Cotter, who died in February 2011 aged only 70 days old.
Layla was born with a very rare condition called Gaucher Disease Type 2 and spent most of her short life in St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight.
800 mile cycle
Layla’s dad, Colman Cotter, and family friend, Louise Carrington, will make the mammoth 800 mile journey from north to south over a period of two weeks, cycling up to 70 miles a day. Layla’s mum, Emma Perry, will also be making the trek down through the UK, driving the support vehicle.
The cycle begins at John O’Groats on Sunday 2nd September and ends on Saturday 15th September at the Isle of Wight Rugby Club, Wootton. Brave Colman also plans on taking part in his club’s second team match against mainland club Market House Pirates as soon as he gets off his bike!
Follow online
Supporters can follow the duo’s progress online, with regular blogs on the Layla’s Trust website, as well as updates on Facebook and Twitter. Donations and sponsorship can also be given online.
Emma says: “Since we launched the charity back in April of this year, we have been overwhelmed by the positive messages and support given to us by friends, family and complete strangers. It’s wonderful that so many people want to help us raise money to support other families who are going through what we went through and this cycle ride is hopefully the start of many exciting fundraising activities that Layla’s Trust will be involved in.”
Goals of Trust
The long-term aim of Layla’s Trust is to set up a ‘Layla’s Lodge’ on the Isle of Wight providing a holiday retreat for families with terminally ill or severely disabled children who require specialist accommodation.
In the shorter term, the couple have found from their own experience, that there are many other ways in which bereaved families and those with terminally ill or disabled children can be supported.
Emma continues: “We have already managed to purchase a ‘mobile bedroom’ unit for the Neonatal and Paediatric Department which will enable mummies and daddies to stay with their baby or child during what may be their last days together. Toward the latter part of this year, we hope to start our Wight Bite food programme, which will centre on providing family meals to parents and siblings, whilst in hospital with a poorly child. We are also committed to pushing for additional services that will help support a family after a child has died.”
