Derry Dad's BMX 'Santa Cruise' for ECHO children’s heart charity

A more than thankful Derry dad is organising a BMX 'Santa Cruise' as a fundraiser for the Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation (ECHO), which provides support for children and young people with heart conditions and their families.

The 'Santa Cruise is taking place on Saturday, December 10, with more than 800 BMX-ers dressed as Santa cycling through the streets of London. 

Stephane Wright, who lives in Drumahoe in Derry, has been organising the fundraising ride for the last 8 years. In that time, Stephane and the BMX community have raised more than £120,000 for ECHO.

His involvement with ECHO began when his son, Tommy had a near fatal heart attack when he was six months old. Surgeons were unable to operate on him until he was older; when he was three years old, he had keyhole surgery to fix his heart. Tommy made a full recovery and is now an energetic eight-year-old who loves cycling.

Stephane's wife, Karen, and children Caitlin (13) and April(11) wanted to help other families who are going through the same worrying circumstances. 

Stephane said: "We feel so lucky that Tommy survived. I don’t think I can ever repay the help we received when he was a baby. 

Tommy, who inspired his dad to organise the now annual 'Santa Cruise' for ECHO, is himself taking part for the first time this year. Stephane and Tommy are travelling to London to take part.

“I’m really excited for it!” said Tommy. “Dad hashown me the videos [of the previous years’ Santa Cruise]. I think I’m going as Santa or an Elf.”

More than 800 BMX riders took part in last year's event, mainly dressed as Santa, but also including elves, reindeer and the odd grinch! Olympic BMX Freestyle bronze medalist Declan Brooks will be one of the riders taking part this year.

The BMX riders will stop at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where presents and sweets will be given to the children staying at the hospital. They will then BMX around central London on an eight mile route taking in many of London’s landmarks and bridges.

Stephane Wright, along with an administration team, runs the popular BMX Life Facebook and Instagram page.

Stephane wanted to raise money for ECHO as he saw first-hand the difference the charity made when his son was an in-patient, and had been recommended the charity by numerous staff at the Evelina.

“I asked the doctors and nurses what charity they recommend and they all said ECHO,” said Stephane. “My wife stayed in hospital for a month with my son and the stuff ECHO did, providing a cosy room, arts and crafts for the kids, cake for parents – they all made a difference to help her through those difficult weeks.”

ECHO provides a wide range of support to children with heart conditions and their families. Support includes parent support, cardiac antenatal classes, hospital resources and equipment and bereavement support.

Over the last eight years, Stephane and the BMX community have raised over £120,000 for ECHO, which has made a huge difference to the small charity, especially over recent years with Covid impacting many of their fundraising events.

Samantha Johnson, Chief Executive at ECHO said: "We are hugely grateful to Stephane and the rest of the BMX community for their amazing support over the last eight years. They have raised a phenomenal amount of money, which has allowed us to support thousands of children with special hearts and their families."