7 Elite Academy sponsors Alder Hey charity ride
7 Elite Academy has given its support to a 300-mile bike ride from London to Paris in aid of Alder Hey Hospital’s Neurosurgery unit.
The event was organised by Liverpool FC Academy Head of Foundation Phase John Thompson, whose son Reuben was treated for the life-threatening condition Hydrocephalus at Alder Hey.
7 Elite Academy, supported by Executive Chairman Wayne Scholes, sponsored the three-day ride from Big Ben in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Connor Hannah, who coaches at 7 Elite Academy alongside his duties at Liverpool FC, was part of 11-strong group that took part, helping to raise over £13,000 for the fund.
Organiser John Thompson said: “My little boy was treated for Hydrocephalus at Alder Hey when he was just a few months old and I will for ever be grateful to every single person who works there.
“He’s now had a shunt fitted on his brain which will help him to live normally, but there is no doubt in my mind that that the Neurosurgery team, led by Dr Malucci, saved his life.
“That is why I started the fund called Reuben Research, which will help to pay for further advances in treating this condition. In total, we have so far raised over £13,000 in recent months with more events lined up.
“The ride itself was an amazing experience and although we had a few tough moments, we worked together as a team to finish in Paris on Sunday. To see my wife and family at the Eiffel Tower was the best feeling ever.
“7 Elite Academy and Anthony Godfrey in particular were fantastic in sponsoring the ride. They got involved straight away and I can’t thank them enough for their support.
“Rueben is doing very well now and that is down to the fantastic treatment that Alder Hey provided.”
Anthony Godfrey, 7 Elite Academy Global Director, was happy to get the academy involved when he learned of his former LFC colleague’s fundraising appeal.
He said: “I’ve known John for a long time through my work with him at LFC, so it was a very quick decision for both myself and 7 Elite Academy Executive Chairman Wayne Scholes to get involved as a sponsor.
“I’ve got a lot to thank Alder Hey for through my own personal experiences and I know a lot of families throughout the grassroots community rely on Aldery Hey every day of the week.
“Conor Hannah works with 7 Elite Academy teams on a regular basis, alongside his duties at LFC, and as soon as I heard he was involved we got on board as a sponsor.
“We will be working with Reuben Research in the long term of make sure more children from Liverpool and beyond receive the same life-saving treatment.”
If anyone else would like to donate, here is the link:
