Bristol Cycling Team Take Part in Charity Cycling Marathon for Bliss

Riders in ‘Team Blisstol’ left to right: Chris Hollister, Colin Hollister, Leigh Sherman, Mark Maddock, James Morton-Sherwood, Steve Higgins

A team of Bristol dads are taking part in a 100 mile cycling marathon to raise money for premature and sick baby charity Bliss.

Chris Hollister and Steve Higgins will be taking part in this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on 30 July 2017.

It’s a personal experience for both the fathers, Chris Hollister’s son Harry was born at just 26 weeks in Southmead Hospitaly developing Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) at ten days old. Harry ended up transferred to St Michael’s Hospital for life saving surgery.

Steve Higgins’ son Hugo spent seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit where he also battled a number of health issues.

“During our three month stay between Southmead and St Michael’s my partner Catherine and I were supported by Bliss'” Chris says. “Once Harry came home, Catherine wanted to give something back to the charity. As well as being a Bliss Champion she has organised innumerable events to raise money for the charity. Steve and I felt it was time we men organise a fundraiser of our own.”

Chris and Steve have put together a team of seven riders to raise money for the charity in honour of Harry and Hugo.

Steve says: “After Hugo arrived ten weeks early, we were in complete shock and didn’t know what the future held for us. Each day at Southmead brought new battles but our little hero grew stronger with the care and support given from staff and Bliss. Even after we got discharged from hospital, Bliss was still there to support us. Now my partner is a Bliss champion, helping support other parents that are in the same situation we found ourselves in.”

The cyclists have already raised more than £3800 for the charity and will continue to do so with their new marathon challenge.

For more information, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/BristolBlissRideLondon2017