TWO local friends are trekking 30 miles across Dartmoor to raise funds for the Happy Children’s Hospital Fund.

Lee Wickett, from Yelverton, and Alex Moles, both former Tavistock College students, are taking on the wildness of the moors to raise as much money as possible for the charity, based at Level 12 of Derriford Hospital, as it provided ‘outstanding care’ to Lee’s son Ollie.

At just four weeks old, Lee and his wife Nicky, were told Ollie had hip dysplasia. He had been in a breech position while in the womb and his joints had not formed properly and therefore did not have a socket for his thigh bone to sit in.

The same day as being diagnosed Ollie was put into a harness to keep his legs at 90 degrees to help correct the problem. The family had to visit Derriford Hospital weekly to have the harness adjusted and to give Ollie a bath.

Lee said: ‘I’m pleased to say that now he’s three and a half years old he has been fully discharged thanks to the incredible care from the team on Level 12.

‘I’m aiming to raise as much as possible to give something back for the outstanding care and treatment my son received.’

The duo, who have been friends since Year 7, aim to set off on their trek on April 13, and, weather permitting, they plan to run most of the distance.

‘Thanks to the care Ollie received he can now — if he wants — complete these type of challenges when he’s older and it means that with the money we raise other kids can continue to have treatment at Derriford,’ added Lee.

So far, £465 has been raised, but if anyone would like to donate, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LeeWickett or pop into Sisters Hair and Beauty on Market Street in Tavistock where there is a collection pot for the trek.