Mark Skimming, the Head Coach of the University of Bath, will be taking on the biggest athletic challenge of his life in the upcoming months. Skimming will be cycling from Machu Picchu to the the Amazon in an effort to raise money for the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, which supports the Bristol Children’s Hospital.
The Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal was created in 1995 and has raised over £31 million since that point. The donations go to the Bristol Children’s Hospital where they are used to purchase equipment, provide accommodation as well as arts, music and play therapy for patients and their families.
Skimming’s path from Machu Picchu to the Amazon is approximately 300 km in distance and covers varied terrain in a high altitude environment. He will be pushing between 50-65 km a day and camping each night during the trek.
What motivated Skimming to take on this challenge?
In 2013 his son Albert was born three months early weighing just two pounds and 10 ounces. He stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Bristol Children’s Hospital for 12 weeks.
“The job they did was fantastic. Albert came home without need for medication or oxygen,” said Skimming. “However due to his prematurity he has chronic lung disease. When he is well he is a normal baby/toddler now becoming a teenager quickly. However he is very susceptible to respiratory illness. A cold can turn very quickly to a pneumonia.”
Since his stay in the hospital Albert has been healthy, but the Skimmings have continued to need to the support of the hospital on several occasions. They estimate the total of his medical costs are approximately £300,000.
Skimming is extremely grateful for the support his family has received and wants to show his gratitude by offering them support in return, “Monetary value is obviously important, but the support and dedication of all the staff who have helped Albert and no doubt the ones who will help him in the future. (yes that’s right we aren’t out of danger yet), is immeasurable and priceless.”
“I am taking this challenge to try to say a thank you and to raise as much money as I can for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand appeal, supporting Bristol Children’s hospital. If it wasn’t for all their help and support we would not have the amazing son we have today.”
Skimming’s goal is to raise £6,000.00 and after only three weeks he has raised over half that amount. You can follow this link to help support him in achieving his goal.
Thank you for posting this, all support would be greatly appreciated. This is a fantastic cause and I would love to leave this target far behind with help from the swimming community.
You are welcome Mark! It is fantastic that you have decided to do this.