Tim to ride for those who saved him as he recovers from major operation

Tim Hartill, from Brierley Hill, has spent the last year rebuilding himself after undergoing a health ordeal which came close to ending his life and left him physically disabled.

One day after his 29th birthday in March 2019, Tim was rushed to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham for emergency surgery after suffering a bleed on the brain.

It was while he was in hospital that it was discovered he had endocarditis and required a replacement heart valve, with his wife Sarah being told he may end up in a wheelchair with no left side movement.

After stabilising following his surgery, Tim moved to Ward 9 at Moseley Hall Hospital in June and, in his time there, relearned how to talk and began to regain movement on his right hand side and head.

Since returning home in October, Tim has regained use of his left leg and some of his left arm and begun doing standing practice with Sarah and his carers.

As his recovery has progressed, the 30-year-old has decided to take on a fundraising challenge as a thank you to to the teams at Queen Elizabeth and Moseley Hall who looked after him.

Tim will be using a mini-stationary bike to pedal 874 miles, the equivalent of the distance from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Supporters

He said: "I've feel that I've progressed a lot since I came home in October and I wanted to do something to help people and say thank you.

"They did a lot to help me and Sarah while I was there, and the idea to do this ride was something we discussed.

"I used to go to the gym five days a week and while I'm not as fit as I used to be, if I can do this, anyone can do this."

Tim will be supported on his ride by a group of friends and supporters, nicknamed the 'Timli Army', who Sarah said would be riding along with him.

She said: "They'll be helping him wherever they can when he's doing his pedalling and match whatever he'll do each day.

"I'm taking part as well and matching what he does, plus he has a friend who will run five kilometres every day and others who will cycle, walk, run or whatever they can do.

"We're celebrating NHS heroes each week, but I think for us and what Tim's been through, they have always been heroes and it's a nice way to recognise them."

Tim has set a target of £2,000 to raise and June 30 to complete the ride, although Sarah has said if it needs to take longer, then Tim will take as long as he needs to finish.

To find out more about Tim and his visit gofundme.com/f/miles-for-moseley-amp-the-qe