Youngster raises £800 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Alex Spence cycled from his home in Winsford to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to say thank you to the doctors and nurses who looked after him when a blockage was found to be causing an infection backing up to his kidneys.

Kind-hearted Alex, seven, was recently discharged from the Liverpool-based hospital and was determined to raise money.

Along with his parents, Alex completed his bike ride after some training - going from Winsford to Sandiway, to Acton Bridge, then to Dutton and Runcorn and on to Liverpool.

He raised £820 thanks to his efforts and has since presented a giant cheque to Alder Hey.

Alex Spence (Image: Supplied)

Mum Helen said: “He wanted to raise money and awareness of how great Alder Hey really is – Alex said he just wanted to thank them for saving his life.”

Helen previously told the Guardian about how important the hospital is to the family.

She said: “Alex was in his local hospital for approximately two weeks, but they were unsure what was wrong with him.

“He was treated with a lot of antibiotics and fluids but there was no improvement.

“It looked like we were going to lose him at one point.

“Alder Hey stepped in and admitted him urgently.

“Within 12 hours he had his first operation and was quickly on his way to recovery.

“Two more operations followed and thankfully he is now back playing football for his local team, watching his favourite rugby league team St Helens and causing mischief.

“Now everything is OK, he had this idea that he wanted to show how great Alder Hey is, so we’re cycling from our house to the hospital.”

Alex’s efforts started paying off even before he started his bike ride.

His fundraising target was originally set at £150, which then increased to £300 because of the great response from family and friends – which Alex smashed.