Dad cycling for perfect Percy

“Our Perfect Percy” Higgins sadly lost his fight for life in September. He was just five months old. 

Now his father is taking on an incredible challenge in Percy’s memory to raise funds for us because we cared for him. 

Percy, of Walcote, was born with a congenital heart defect and an extra chromosome – which his parents, Adam and Sarah, said “made him nothing but extra special.”

In April last year, at just one-week-old, Adam and Sarah were told their son’s condition was inoperable and they brought him to us and our team of incredible specialists for end of life care.

“Percy was strong,” said Adam (39). “After a couple of weeks he was able to come home and Percy was able to spend time with us and his brother, three-year-old Douglas. We got to make some incredible memories. 

“Douglas has been amazing. We have told him that Percy has died because his heart wasn’t strong enough. He says he misses him but he understands.

“Percy treated us to five incredible months. Some of this time was spent making very special family memories at Rainbows. It is a truly remarkable charity with the staff to match, making memories come true at a time you never imagine possible. We knew that when Percy was going to pass away, we wanted him to be at Rainbows. We loved it there. It is truly an amazing place, so peaceful.”

As a lasting tribute to his son, Adam – who is a self-employed plasterer, and his workmates, Nick Dimblebee (34) and Paul Riley (37), decided to saddle up and cycle from London to Paris.

Over five days in June, the trio, who are calling themselves Plasterers to Paris, will cycle 300 miles from capital to capital. The final leg of the journey will see them cycle up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triumphe; before reaching the finish line – the Eiffel Tower.

They aim to raise £7,000 for our hospice.

“After losing Percy, I was inspired to raise money,” said Adam. “I just want to do it for Rainbows; I just want to do it for Percy. I want to give something back to Rainbows and there is so much I want to do. 

“Everything about Rainbows is just amazing. The care, the staff, the home feel, the comfort – you don’t need to think about anything. Funny as it sounds, it was a joyful experience. The facilities are incredible; I couldn’t believe it when we went there. We also received fantastic care at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

“Please dig deep and help us reach our goal.”

To sponsor Adam and Nick, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Higgo-Bushy

To join them on the event or to find out more information, please visit rainbows.co.uk/londonparis or contact Neil Swift on 01509 638005 or [email protected]