Gabriel Sayer, Associate Medical Director, and consultant vascular surgeon at our Trust, has completed a 600km bike ride around Regent’s Park to raise money for Whizz-Kidz, a charity for young wheelchair users. 

He completed 130 laps in memory of his daughter, Molly Sayer, who died unexpectedly in April last year.

Setting off on Friday May 6, he rode in four-hour blocks with the support of his cyclist friends riding alongside him, finishing in just over 20 hours. Other friends provided him with food and water throughout the challenge.

He said: “I did this bike ride in memory of my daughter, who passed away last year and reflecting now, it has been very nice to see how much people care for me.

“I had a lot of support from people helping me on the day – those who came along to support and those who rode with me during the day and night.

“I rode from 11pm – 3am with four friends, who turned up because they knew what my family and I had been through in the last year.”

Gabriel and his family recently marked the one-year anniversary of Molly’s death. He said: ‘Molly used to have blue hair, I got together with my family, and we went for a walk in some bluebell woods and had a meal to remember her.”

Molly was an enthusiastic runner, cyclist, and open water swimmer. When asked about the likelihood of him completing an open water challenge, he said: “Possibly, maybe Ullswater in the Lake District.”

Donations on his JustGiving page currently sit at £5,684, surpassing his initial £3,000 target. Gabriel is now aiming to raise £6,000 for Whizz-Kidz.

He added: “They are a good charity that make a significant difference, particularly for young people. As someone who is active and able-bodied, it is fitting that I am raising money for others so that they too can experience more mobility and enjoy life.”

To donate, visit the JustGiving page.

A team of Gabriel’s colleagues also raised money in Molly’s name, completing the London Triathlon last August, raising over £7,600 for Mind.