Transplant patient cycles from John O’Groats to Lands End - without leaving Addenbrooke’s hospital unit

AN ADDENBROOKE’S hospital patient who has undergone three kidney transplants has cycled from John o’ Groats to Land’s End – without leaving the hospital’s dialysis unit.

Barrie Mill, 64, went into renal failure in 1966, aged just 18. He was one of the first patients in the UK to undergo dialysis, and has since had three kidney transplants.

Over the last seven weeks he has pedalled 878 miles – the distance from John o’ Groats to Land’s End - on a special ‘dialysis cycle’ strapped to his treatment chair.

Barrie, of Saffron Walden, said: “I enjoy exercise and staying fit, and cycling from John o’ Groats to Land’s End was always a lifelong ambition.

“Doing it on dialysis is not quite the same as doing it for real – but it is still an achievement. One day I would still like to do the journey on the road.”

The Addenbrooke’s Kidney Patients Association (AKPA) has paid for 20 of the ‘dialysis cycles’ for patients to use at the hospital and its satellite dialysis units. Money raised from Barrie’s bike ride will pay for more of the specialist cycles.

Alan Craig, of AKPA, said: “Kidney patients like Barrie spend hours every week undergoing treatment. Keeping fit is a good way of passing the time – but we also believe that exercising during dialysis can make the treatment more effective by boosting circulation.

“If that helps the dialysis machine to filter the patient’s blood more effectively then they will benefit from shorter sessions and improved wellbeing.”

To support Barrie’s ride, go to justgiving.com/akpa