15-year-old takes on gruelling bike challenge for hospital
Stirling teen Annie Comrie has faced up to more challenges and trauma in her first fifteen years than many face in a lifetime.
So when the schoolgirl announced she wanted to take on a gruelling cycling challenge as a thank you to the hospital staff that have treated her over the last six years, mum Jillian knew nothing was going to stop her.
Stirling High pupil Annie was tested and diagnosed with a inherited heart condition named Long QT Syndrome - at the age of eight following the sudden death of dad Marcus and a few weeks later, she was also given the news that she is a type one diabetic.
The severe heart condition is an heart rhythm problem which causes the heart muscle to take longer than normal to recharge between beats.
As a result, Annie lives with a implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a small device which monitors her heart rhythm.
Following her original diagnosis, Annie attended the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for regular appointments to check up on her condition.
And that support become lifesaving when doctors were forced to perform life-changing surgery on Annie after she was found unresponsive just a few days before her 13th birthday due to a low blood sugar incident.
Due to her heart condition, the incident could have been fatal but with the help of doctors, the teen was able to celebrate her 13th birthday in hospital.
The hospital’s specialist cardiology teams have offered her the very best care but as she prepares to transition towards adult hospital care, but Annie was keen to give back and show her appreciation for the staff on Ward 1E who have kept her safe.
Despite her condition making strenuous exercise a challenge, Annie committed to cycling a total of 50 miles in the roads around her home - and completed the challenge in just six days.
Annie has already raised more than £600 for the ward and wrote on her online petition page: “Glasgow Children’s Hospital has been a big part of my life since I was seven.
“They have never failed to support me and put a smile on my face even through surgeries and long hospital stays.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better hospital and support system - any problem I have, they try to fix it. This is why I have decided to fundraise by cycling 50 miles for this lovely hospital.”
Mum Jillian told the Observer: “It’s been a tough few years managing and living with her conditions, but she did all of this on her own and it’s such a great thing for her to have done.
“The first I heard about it was when Annie sent me a text message asking me if I could support her and help with getting sponsors on board.
“Annie is at the age of progressing to adult services and so this was the last thing for her to do as a thank you and to push herself a little bit.
“She’s not meant to go out cycling on her own, so a few different people have escorted on her rides and the plan was to have the 50 miles done by the end of October, but she did it in six days.
“She initially wanted to raise £150 but she has already reached £630 in the first week or so; we’ve just been overwhelmed with the generosity from family and friends.”
Annie’s story has also been shared on the hospital’s Facebook page, with the teenager being described as “truly inspirational”.
Anyone wishing to donate to Annie’s fundraising efforts can do so by visiting her online page at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/annie-comrie/.