Cycling surgeon takes a detour to accept patient's gift

Published on Sunday 16 August 2009 21:51

IT WAS definitely worth the detour. Fundraising surgeon Chris Oliver pedalled off route in his epic Lands End to John O' Groats ride at the weekend to meet up with a former patient and pick up a surprise cheque for £1,000.

Mr Oliver is the Edinburgh-based surgeon who operated on Olivia Giles, the former lawyer whose limbs had to be partially amputated in 2002 after she contracted the blood poisoning form of meningitis.

The doctor is now attempting to raise at least 10,000 for 500 Miles, the charity set up by Ms Giles to help pay for surgery and equipment for patients in Africa requiring help with walking.

Mr Oliver, the consultant trauma orthopaedic surgeon at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, was persuaded to add some extra miles to his efforts for a rendezvous with Ms Giles and her minister at the Morningside United Church, who presented him with 1,000. The money was raised by a concert at the church in May.

Mr Oliver, who underwent gastric band surgery in 2007 to reduce his weight from a colossal 27 stones, set off on his route two weeks ago and is now two-thirds of the way through the journey. He has already added more than an extra 200 miles to the direct 838-mile road journey between the south-west and north-east tips of mainland Britain so he could enjoy the "scenic" route.

"I was down to 17 stones but I might weigh even less now because I have been using 6,000 calories a day," he said.

Ms Giles recently travelled to Zambia to witness the activities of a charity project, FlySpec, which is supported by 500 Miles. She said: "I was with a surgeon who did 14 operations in one day and it was really life-affirming to see him in action."

&#149 Donations can be made at justgiving.com/chrisoliver500.