Four friends are set to strap on their cycling gear and take part in a coast-to-coast challenge in aid of a three-year-old girl from Bayston Hill who suffered a rare stoke.
The Chronicle exclusively broke the story of Blossom Burton who suffered the stroke last year after she contracted chicken pox at the ago of two. It was feared she may never walk 
again.
She was left paralysed and in intensive care for a month at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. And after hearing about her story, friends Felix Morris, Dave O’Keefe-Williams, David Tozer and Christian Toon decided to take on a cycling challenge to aid her recovery.
They will cycle from Whitehaven to Newcastle – otherwise known as the ‘Coast to Coast’ – from April 9 to 11. They hope to raise more than £1,500.
Felix, Dave and David are from Bayston Hill while Christian lives in Ironbridge.
Dave said: “We hope that we are going to enjoy this ride but there will be some bits that will be very hard work. It is the magnificent generosity that we have found and the thought that all this will help a very special little girl get the best in life that will give us that extra bit of oomph.”
Felix added: “As well as all the sponsorship that we have raised from all our friends and colleagues we would like to thank Shrewsbury Cycles and Halfords for servicing the bikes to make sure that, even if the riders aren’t, the bikes are in tip-top condition.”
Blossom has since regained the use of her legs, and is due to travel to North Carolina for physiotherapy, joined by her parents Helen and Richard, and her sister Olivia, 10. Mr Burton said he had been overwhelmed by the fundraising efforts of friends and family who had so far collected £6,000 to pay for Blossom’s continued treatment.
Last year the youngster, whose story caught the attention of the national media, appeared on the hit day-time television show This Morning with her mum Helen, alongside hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
To find out more about Blossom’s progress and future fundraising events visit www.theblossomrosefund.freevar.com
By James Pugh