A MAN who narrowly escaped death in a bike accident will cycle 400 miles for the hospital that saved his life.

Tom Hutley, 24, of Chelmer Road, Braintree, nearly died after a cycling accident at 12-years-old left him with a blood clot.

While at Braintree Skate Park, Mr Hutley came off his bike and fractured his skull, partly because he was not wearing a helmet.

Tom initially thought everything was fine, and it was not until later that evening he began to develop symptoms – headaches and one eye pointing in a different direction.

His parents rushed him to Broomfield Hospital where he was told it could just be a virus.

Mr Hutley, a retail assistant at independent Braintree cycle shop A1, said: “They put me on a heart rate machine anyway and noticed that something was wrong.

“I was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh), although only for a day or two.

“They opened up my fractured skull and took out a blood clot that was causing pressure on the brain.

“They said if it had been left another hour or so I would have died.

“My accident hasn’t stopped me getting on a bike at all, I just wear a helmet now.”

As a thank-you to Gosh, the former Alec Hunter student will cycle 400 miles in six days, travelling from the most westerly point of Wales – St Davids in Pembrokeshire – to the most easterly point of England – Lowestoft – to raise money.

On Sunday, Mr Hutley will travel by Tube and trains from Braintree to Paddington then to Fishguard in Wales before beginning his cycle ride at St Davids the same day.

He said: “My theory is it’s going to be lots of hills and it will suck whatever I do. I’m kind of winging it really.

“I cycle to work every day, which is only about two miles, but I’ve got a whole day to get the mileage done. I’ve mapped out a route and tried to factor in a lot of stops, although I could have done it on less.

“I’ll be on my own so will be carrying all my gear on board, although I haven’t tried packing anything yet.

“I’m quite resourceful when it comes to fixing bikes and I’ve done long rides in the past. I’ve adapted my bike so that it can take a carrier, it’s going to be a case of slimming down what I need.”

Mr Hutley is hoping to raise £500 and will be raising more money for Gosh in the future, with a ride from Lands End to John O’Groats next year and a year-long around the world cycle ride when he turns 30.

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