Joe’s Charity Cycle Challenge

My name is Joseph Waller and I am 8 years old. In May 2019 I had lots of pain in my left leg and began to limp – I went to the hospital and had lots of x-rays, scans and blood tests – eventually I was diagnosed with Perthes disease.

Perthes is a rare condition that affects the hip. It happens when the blood supply to the top of the femur (thigh bone) is disrupted. Without a good blood supply the bone cells die (avascular necrosis), and the weak bone at the head of femur (the “ball” part of your “ball-and-socket” hip joint) begins to collapse and crumble away. This process makes your hip very painful and stiff.

Over time the blood supply to the head of femur returns, and the bone begins to grow back slowly. But this whole process can take 2-3 years – a LONG time – and often the head of the femur bone can grow back in a bit of a funny shape, like a rugby ball instead of a football. Unfortunately during this time you might need to have operations to make sure the bone is growing back in the right place (which I had just before Coronavirus lockdown), and there are somethings you are definitely NOT allowed  to do – walk too far, jump, run and sadly for me NO FOOTBALL (which I love!). I use crutches to help me walk with less pain and I do Physiotherapy exercises every day - I REALLY miss playing football, but swimming and cycling are really good for my hip to make it strong, and try and keep the top of the hip joint as “round as a football” as possible as it grows back.

My school, St Wilfrid’s Church of England Primary School in Haywards Heath, is a great school – and they have been especially amazing during this Coronavirus Pandemic, staying open the WHOLE time (even during school holidays) so my Mummy (who works for the NHS) and my Daddy (who works in the Police Force) could go to work. Unfortunately lots of events at St Wilfrid’s have had to be cancelled this year – things like the school discos, Summer and Christmas Fairs, and film nights– and so we haven’t been able to raise very much money for all the things we need to have fun and help us learn at school.

I have decided to set myself a challenge with 2 main goals - to raise awareness for Perthes (not many people have heard of it!) AND raise money for my amazing school. I’m going to attempt to cycle 150 miles by the end of November (and maybe even a little more?!) – which is the same distance as cycling to Birmingham!

Every penny will make a big difference to our school, and will also keep me motivated to complete the challenge, so if you can spare a few pennies please donate here. My school and me will be very happy if you do.

Thank you very much,

Joe xxx