Dad’s 114-mile hike to thank hospital for saving daughter’s life

A Dad is hiking more than 100 miles, from the Nottingham hospital where his eight-year-old daughter received life-saving treatment, to the family’s hometown in Suffolk, to thank NHS staff for their care.

Dean Davis and a team of fellow fundraisers will walk 114 miles, starting at the Queen’s Medical Centre on Tuesday 23^rd May, and finishing in Haverhill, Suffolk, on Friday 26^th May.

The walk is raising money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity, which will go to ward E17, the children’s renal ward at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, based at the QMC, to thank them for the life-saving care eight-year-old Harper received.

Harper contracted E.coli while on a family holiday to Norfolk in 2018, and developed a rare secondary infection affecting her kidneys and bowels. She was transferred to ward E17 at Nottingham Children’s Hospital where she was treated, and later received a kidney transplant from her aunt, Donna Davis.

Harper has since developed type 1 diabetes as a result of her illness, but is a happy and smiley eight-year-old, and dad Dean says that’s all thanks to the incredible team at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.

Dean said: “Harper wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing staff at Nottingham Children’s Hospital. We are so lucky to have her still here with us – every day with her is a miracle.”

Joining Dean on the 106-mile hike are his colleagues from Kedington Fitness Centre in Suffolk. Money raised will be split between Nottingham Hospitals Charity and My WiSH Charity in West Suffolk, which supports the family with Harper’s ongoing care.

Dean said: “The route is one my family and I have taken many times over the years, during Harper’s time in hospital and subsequent visits. I hope the walk will raise a lot of money for these important charities.”

Lucy Dalgress, Community Fundraising Manager at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so grateful to Dean and his team for taking on this huge hike in aid of Nottingham Children’s Hospital.

“The family has been through a lot in the past five years, but we are so glad Harper received such good treatment and care here in Nottingham and is now able to be home with her family as a result. We wish the team the very best of luck with their walk!”

To sponsor Dean and his team, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/106-mile-hike