Leeds hospital consultant's cycling fundraiser to give premature babies best chance of life

A consultant at a  hospital's neonatal  unit  has completed a gruelling 15-hour cycling challenge to raise thousands of pounds towards a new high tech incubator to give premature babies the best chance of survival.
Chris ForsterChris Forster
Chris Forster

Chris Forster, a consultant in the neonatal intensive care unit at Leeds Children's Hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, set a target of reaching the equivalent height of the summit Mount Everest.

Father-of-two Mr Forster, 37, of Alwoodley, cycled up and down Askwith Moor in Wharfedale on Sunday November 22 and Monday 23 until he had reached his goal of climbing 8,848 metres.

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Chris ForsterChris Forster
Chris Forster

His endurance feat has raised more than £7,800 via his JustGiving page and will go towards the Leeds hospitals' charity Leeds Cares appeal for donations to buy urgently needed medical equipment.

Mr Forster said Leeds Cares are using the cash raised to put towards buying a £24,000 'Baby Leo' incubator.

Mr Forster said: "Being able to have that quality equipment within a large regional neonatal intensive care unit can certainly make a difference to the quality of care that these babies receive."

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Mr Forster is a keen cyclist who took part in the UCI Road World Championships to raise funds for Leeds Cares in 2019.

Mr Forster said his latest cycling challenge was tough but worth it as friends, family and parents of babies who have been treated at the unit were among those who donated.

Mr Forster said: "It was probably the hardest thing physically and mentally I have ever had to do.

"Just going up and down the same hill for that long and starting in the dark and finishing in the dark was challenging.

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"Some friends who I cycle with came along and supported me on quite a few ascents. Having them there was really helpful."

He added: "We have been able to reach our target and we have got extra funds that will be going to other projects at the neonatal unit."

Mike Richards, clinical director at Leeds Children’s Hospital, said: "We’re blown away by Chris’ achievement and we can’t thank him enough.

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"I’m incredibly proud to have consultants like Chris on the team here at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

"Each ‘Baby Leo’ incubator enables us to provide the best thermal and developmental environment for babies born prematurely.

"This allows them to put their energies into growing rather than into keeping warm.

"Incubators are in increased demand because of the Covid-19 pandemic so the charitable work of individuals like Chris and charities such as Leeds Cares are more important than ever.

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- The Leeds Children's Heart Surgery Fund has also supplied a new high tech 'Baby Leo' incubator to the neonatal intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The new incubator, which was provided thanks to generous donations to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), is the latest in neonatal technology.

It is built and designed around the needs of the family and baby and will ensure the best possible care and chances of survival for babies with heart, and other conditions from across the region.

The Leeds-based CHSF provides vital funding to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, at LGI, in becoming a world class centre of excellence for children and adults with congenital heart disease.

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This year, as the charity sets itself the impressive fundraising target of £1m, the YEP is issuing a clarion call to Leeds residents to Have A Heart and help back its bid.

The charity has helped the unit by footing bills for life-saving medical equipment, parent accommodation, vital ward resources, staff training, scientific research and new clinical roles.

To donate: Visit chsf.org.uk/donate to give a one-off donation or to set up a regular, direct debit donation.

Or pay cheques to: Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at 3 Oxford Place, Leeds, LS1 3AX.

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