Jason Foster & Friends
www.justgiving.com/county-cycle-2011

The officers plan to cycle around Leicestershire and Rutland visiting five police stations across the Counties’ Basic Command Unit (BCU).  They will set off at 6am on Sunday September 11th 2011.

The money they raise will be given to Heart Link, a children’s charity which started as a support group for parents and families at the Glenfield Hosptial, who had a child suffering from a heart defect.  It has increasingly become committed to improving facilities for young patients, their families and providing much needed valuable medical equipment for the hospital.

The charity is currently trying to raise £300,000 to update the onsite parent’s accommodation at the Glenfield.  This accommodation will enable the parents of ill children to stay at the hospital, allowing them to spend precious time with those they love.

Among the riders will be PC 2897 Jason Foster whose 10 year old daughter, Savannah, was born in 2001 with a number of medical problems.  In December 2010 she was diagnosed with an unexpected problem with her heart and had to have a life saving operation at the Glenfield Hospital.  

He said; “When I came back to work after Savannah’s operation I received an amazing amount of support from my colleagues.  Someone suggested that they wanted to do something to raise money for my daughter but I felt it would be more beneficial to raise money for the hospital and the Heartlink charity which is based there.  I realised then that other officers based at Loughborough had in some way had links to the hospital either through their own personal experience or through friends.

“Cycling one hundred miles is really daunting especially for people who usually only use them at the weekends or to get to work and I have been overwhelmed by the level of support from colleagues and their partners.  As well as the cyclists other work colleagues will be sorting out refreshments at police stations along the way and local firms have shown their support by donating food and drink too.

“Savannah will be ten on Monday and that is very significant to us because we didn’t think at times she would reach that age.  I am so proud of her for over coming so many obstacles and hospital appointments and I am proud of my wife too for all she does for Savannah and for putting up with me too."

“I would urge anyone who has an interest or connection to the Heartlink charity to go on the just giving website and give as generously as they can.  I only hope we get good weather!”