A TEACHER has cycled hundreds of miles to raise funds for a young student to help her fulfil her dreams of running again.

John Deasy, a teacher at St Benedict’s Catholic College in Colchester, has completed the challenge of cycling from Edinburgh to Colchester, to raise funds for Year 8 student Ferne McLindon.

On New Year’s Day 2020, Ferne was admitted to Colchester Hospital after becoming unwell just after her 11th birthday.

She was suffering from toxic shock and sepsis caused by a very rare Strep G infection and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Ferne had a five per cent chance of survival as she suffered a multi-organ failure.

In the weeks that followed, Ferne lost both her legs below the knee, the tips of four fingers and her stomach.

Leukaemia was the underlying reason and she spent ten months at the London hospital where she continues to receive treatment.

Ferne has since learnt to walk again, and her ambition is to run and become a Paralympian.

Whilst the NHS can supply prosthetic legs to walk, the cost of further rehabilitation treatments and prosthetics for sports need to be funded by Ferne’s family.

Mr Deasy took on the challenge of cycling more than 550 miles in seven days, to fundraise for Ferne.

The journey started in Edinburgh, cycling the east coast through places including Newcastle, Hull and Lincoln, before arriving back in Colchester.

More than £11,000 has currently been raised, with Mr Deasy thankful for the support he received.

He said: “The hard work was worth every effort because the cycle ride managed to raise a significant amount of money for Ferne’s dream of being able to run again.

“At present, the cost of prosthetics and rehabilitation is over £20,000, so any donation, big or small, will go a long way to helping Ferne fulfil her ambition.

“I was humbled by the generous support and encouragement I received during my week-long challenge and I’m extremely grateful to my friends, colleagues and local communities who have donated to the JustGiving page, which was set up by Ferne’s dad.”

To donate, visit bit.ly/3zmw3Cv.