Shukers Land Rover, Shrewsbury - Grateful Dad’s Climbing Challenge For Two Hospitals

A relieved and grateful dad from Shropshire is to embark on an unusual charity fundraising challenge during Children’s Heart Week (8-16 May) in thanks to medical teams at two hospitals.

Dean Bishton, a sales specialist, is to climb the Wrekin 20 times within 24 hours, starting just after midnight on Saturday May 15, to raise money for the Shrewsbury Neo-Natal Unit and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

He wants to personally thank doctors and nurses who saved the life of his baby Charlie following a serious heart condition which required the insertion of a pacemaker.

A fetal heart block was diagnosed at 28 weeks with the heart beating at only a third of normal heart beats of a baby.  Charlie weighed in at 7lbs 11ozs on February 27 and spent a week in the Shrewsbury Neo-Natal Unit waiting for an operation.

This was carried out by surgeons at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who successfully implanted a pacemaker into the baby.

And much to the relief and joy of mum Fay, 39, and dad Dean, 37, of Shrewsbury, Charlie’s heart beat is now regular and back to normal.

Said Dean, a sales specialist at Shukers Land Rover, Shrewsbury:  “During the time that I was visiting both hospitals I experienced how the NHS works and realised there are lots of elements that rely on charity.

“I wanted to raise money to help and came up with the idea of doing a sponsored climb up and down the Wrekin 20 times within 24 hours.

“The Wrekin is 997ft above the Shropshire plain which will make the climb and descent equivalent to 19,940ft – roughly the same as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

“My aim is to raise an equal amount for both hospitals and it would be great if I personally could reach a target of £2,000.”

Dean will be attempting the Wrekin climb challenge with friend Gareth Hughes, 36, a recruitment consultant, of Wellington.

He is inviting anyone interested to join them at some stage of the climb.

“I am trying to persuade as many people as possible to walk with us in daylight hours and help us raise money as well on the day,” he said.

Sponsorship forms can be obtained from Dean at Shukers Land Rover, Battlefield Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury.

Donations can also be made on line at www.justgiving.com/dean-bishton