A hearty thank you

"I am very grateful for what all you guys have done for me, my daughter and my family," wrote the mother of a six-month-old who benefited from the goodwill of the Allan Barnes-led initiative and Chain of Hope, Jamaica.

Last year, Barnes and two other cyclists successfully completed the ambitious task of riding 440 miles around Jamaica for 32 hours and 40 minutes in a bid to raise $3 million for seven children to have heart surgeries.

The surgeries were successfully completed and grateful parents have written to the volunteers to say thanks.

Now, eight other children are lining up for heart surgeries and Barnes and his cyclists are at it again. This time the aim now is to raise $4 million.

"Thirty-six hours on my backside is a small sacrifice to make," Barnes said of the initiative dubbed Life Cycle.

In the thank-you letter to Barnes and Chain of Hope, the mother of the six-month-old child said: "Before her surgery, I was always worried of how she would be growing up; but just because of what you guys have done, I can put to rest that problem."

She added: "Her medication has cost me a lot of money and because of the surgery, she will be off medication. She is now more playful than before."

"She's a pleasant baby and I love her with all of my heart. I was afraid of losing her and because of what you did and all your sponsors, I can look on to see her grow up to come and help others who are in need, as she was," the mother wrote.

Another parent wrote: "I appreciate all the things that you have done for my son, without you I don't know how I would manage the situation. Right now he is able to run up and down without getting tired easily, because he did the surgery that I wanted him to do. So thank you people a lot, and may God richly bless you and keep you and your family. Thank you again."

driving force

Barnes told The Gleaner it is the expression of gratitude and the fact that he has been able to positively affect the lives of children that make him want to bear the pain, riding around Jamaica again.

"It was an incredible feeling. When I think about the things we take for granted and see those in need with a very simple wish, I just had to do something. What we do for these children doesn't just change their lives, but their families too," said the married father of three.

Barnes has always had a heart for others, using his physical fitness and athletics training to raise money for charitable causes. This was his first time attempting this gigantic cycling feat; however, during his 16 years based in Africa overseeing operations for 16 countries as general manager for licensed brewing for Diageo, he spent eight years doing marathon charity water runs for Water Aid.

Despite the difficulties of last year's feat, Barnes has upped the ante for this year's cycle marathon. He wants to raise J$4 million for heart surgery for eight young patients. So he will be cycling for 440 miles, to be accomplished within 36 hours.

This year, he has gained greater support from sponsors and cyclists. Some 15 cyclists have committed to complete the marathon, including Mavin Anderson, head of the Portmore Cyclist Association. They will be leaving the Bustamante Hospital for Children, Kingston, at 4:30 a.m. on May 7, making stops in main centres Morant Bay, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Montego Bay, Negril, Savanna-la-Mar, Black River, Treasure Beach, Junction, Mandeville and May Pen, before heading back to the hospital on May 8.

refreshment breaks

Each stop will be brief refreshment breaks and to give persons a chance to donate to the worthy cause. Persons along the route can also make donations.

Several sponsors, organisations and individuals have already made pledges towards the $4-million mark.

"We are also seeking to get several celebrities and the wider media involved this year," said Barnes.

"Other cyclists are also invited to join us for whatever length of the marathon they want."

"We also plan on meeting as many of the children, who have had the heart surgery operations through Chain of Hope, as we can. We are asking them to come out, with their families wherever they are along our route, so we can meet them and be inspired, and so we can raise even more awareness."

The moneys raised are mainly for the material needed for the surgeries, as the Chain of Hope doctors and nurses voluntarily give of their time each year.

Since 2007, Chain of Hope Jamaica, a charity aimed at providing assistance to create a self-sustained paediatric cardiac programme on the island, has done surgery on 150 children, age from birth to 12 years, at a rate of one to two cases per week, led by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Sherard Little.

The major cardiac cases are done by the missions team from the Chain of Hope UK parent body, that makes an annual trip to Jamaica each November, led by Dr Alan Magee, consultant paediatric cardiologist, who will be joining the cycle marathon this year.

"Chain of Hope is doing a fantastic job. The doctors and all the volunteers must be commended. This is the least I can do to assist," stated Barnes.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com