Scots schoolgirl, 7, takes on 18-mile cycle to raise funds for dad after double stroke
MILES FOR DAD Scots schoolgirl, 7, takes on 18-mile cycle to raise funds for dad after double stroke
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A SCHOOLGIRL is taking on an 18-mile cycle to help her dad recover from a devastating double stroke.
Seven-year-old Lydia Parker is raising cash for the Scottish Air Ambulance, which saved her dad Michael's life after medics warned he was just minutes from death when the brain attack hit earlier this year.
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Michael McGregor, 39, suffered a double stroke on May 1
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The dad, from Lochgilpead, has been left unable to walk or talk properly
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But his determined daughter Lydia, 7, is set to complete a 18-mile sponsored cycle
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She is aiming to raise for £3000 for the Scottish Ambulance Service and anything over that will go towards her dad's recovery
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The ambitious youngster, from Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute, also hopes to raise cash for therapies to help her dad regain his speech and mobility after the life-changing ordeal.
Her effort has rallied the local community, with friends and family joining her for the challenge along the nearby Crinan Canal on August 31.
Proud mum Hannah said: "She's an amazing wee girl. She just wants to do something to help her dad and she's determined to make it happen.
"We told Michael in the hospital that Lydia wanted to do this and you could see him nodding. He was desperate for her to go ahead with it. I think she feels this is the only thing she can do for her dad."
Michael McGregor, 39, suffered a double stroke while working in Oban earlier this year.
Hannah explained: "His colleagues noticed something was wrong and took him straight to A&E. He was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and they told us he would have died within 15 minutes if the helicopter hadn't come to get him.
"By the time he arrived, he underwent emergency brain surgery but it was touch and go that first week.
"He spent 11 weeks in hospital and, although he was determined to get home, he's not the same man he was. He's walking with a splint, has no sensation in his arm, and struggles to communicate."
Lydia hopes to raise £3,000 for the Scottish Air Ambulance, with any extra funds going towards speech and language therapy and physio to help her dad recover.
Hannah said: "Michael's had a terrible time of it. He had cancer about four years ago and spent three months in hospital then so it's been really tough on us all.
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"Lydia's already showing signs of stepping into a carer's role.
"The other day, she asked if we could take her dad swimming instead of asking ''Can daddy take me swimming?'. It's wee things like that that show how much this has affected her too."
But despite all the challenges, little Lydia has her heart set on smashing her goal.
Hannah added: "She's watching the donations come in and getting so excited. She's determined to help her dad however she can. She's an amazing wee girl and I couldn't be more proud of her.'
The fundraiser has already raised over half of its target.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.
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