Dad cycles 1,000 miles to thank medics who saved his daughters life sixteen years ago
By Toby Porter
Having a mortally ill baby daughter is enough to turn even the biggest, strongest dad to blubbering mush.
James Barber had to watch powerless as his daughter Hebe was admitted to first one hospital, then another, as her acute kidney failure worsened when she was just two years old.
Now he is proving what a big heart he has by cycling the 1,000 miles – to thank the medics who saved her life 16 years ago and has treater her all the time since then.
James, from East Dulwich in London, is cycling from Land’s End in Cornwall, to Britain’s most northerly point, John O’Groats in Scotland, to raise money for Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Evelina London has looked after his daughter Hebe since 2006, when she spent five weeks undergoing dialysis.
The cycling fundraiser is James’ way of showing his gratitude before Hebe turns 18 next year and will no longer be under the care of the children’s hospital.
When Hebe was just two, James and his wife Nicky became concerned when their daughter got sick.
The 56-year-old said: “We knew something was wrong with her as she’d stopped eating and drinking.
“We took her to our local hospital but there were no available beds.”
Hebe was taken by ambulance to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where she spent two nights, but her condition continued to deteriorate, so she was rushed to Evelina London for specialist treatment.
Evelina London medics confirmed Hebe was suffering from acute kidney failure, which had been brought on by the E. coli bacteria. She needed to be treated quickly, or her condition could have been fatal.
Hebe underwent treatment to repair the function of her kidneys – peritoneal dialysis, which involves pumping fluid into the space inside the abdomen.
This removes harmful waste products from the blood which passes through vessels that line the inside of the abdomen.
James said: “Hebe spent five weeks on the dialysis machine before eventually her kidneys started working again and we began to get our little daughter back.”
In the years that have passed since Hebe’s dialysis, James still remembers how she and his family were treated by the staff at Evelina London.
The telecoms contract manager said: “It was not just thorough and professional, but the care Hebe received was personal.
“By the time we arrived at Evelina London, we’d already been to two hospitals, so we knew just how serious it was.
“For everything they did to stabilise her and reverse the damage that had been done to her kidneys, we’ll be forever grateful.”
Since undergoing dialysis, Hebe has remained under the care of Evelina London where her kidney function is checked once a year.
James said: “We still see some of the same staff that cared for Hebe when she was two years old when we go for our outpatients appointments. It’s so wonderful to see them. It really feels like a very extended family.”
The cycle ride is expected to take two weeks, with James planning to cover an average 74 miles a day.
James, who is a former Lib Dem Councillor for East Dulwich, said: “I used to cycle to work but that’s about it.
“I’ve never tackled anything like this before so it is going to be a real challenge for me personally.”
Sharon Green was one of the nurses that looked after Hebe in 2006.
Now a deputy sister in the paediatric outpatients at Evelina London, she still sees Hebe when she comes in for her check-ups.
Sharon said: “We are incredibly thankful that James is undertaking such a huge cycling challenge to raise money for Evelina London.
“I remember looking after Hebe all those years ago and it’s been a pleasure seeing her each year when she comes into the hospital for her check-ups.
“We’ll miss seeing Hebe and her family once she leaves the care of Evelina London, but it’s so great to see her doing so well since her first time here.
“We all wish James the best of luck for his challenge. We’re all behind you.”
To donate to James’ cycling fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.