A YOUNG man with a severe allergy to grass has cycled 260 miles during lockdown to raise money for the hospital which has helped him manage his symptoms.
At the beginning of May during the one hour allocated exercise period Lewis made up his mind to cycle 260 miles and raise £260 for the NHS Plymouth Hospitals charity and Children with Cancer but he has managed to raise far more than that with the latest figure standing at £700.
Lewis, 12, said: ‘It’s taken a few weeks but it’s been worth it. I have loved being outdoors, pushing the miles total up and raising money to help others.
‘I have a severe allergy to grass and I’m very grateful to NHS Derriford for all the help they have given me to enable me to manage my symptoms.
‘My bike has been the best part of lockdown, I’ve been able to get out and enjoy the moors and breathe despite all that grass!’
Regularly cycling with other family members has meant the Critchleys have cycled more than 1,770 miles since the start of lockdown!
Lewis’ favourite places to ride have been Drake’s Trail from Tavistock to Plymouth. The Granite Way, Lydford to Okehampton, the Tavistock to Pew Tor circuit and circuits of Burrator Reservoir.
His Mum Linda said: ‘Derriford have been amazing with Lewis. He has been given specialist drugs which have already made a massive improvement although they take three years to work completely.’
Grass allergies cause nasal symptoms, asthma, itchy, watery eyes and skin rashes.Lewis also has a dust mite allergy although this is less severe.
Linda said the family moved from Australia to Britain four years ago and Lewis’ symptoms had become worse living in the UK. It was then that he was tested.
He was helped by GP Peter Rodgers who is also Tavistock Tennis Club chairman.