Father-of-five is Africa bound

A Dunstable dad whose hours-old twin son George was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital in June for major heart surgery will cycle to Africa in August to raise funds for two charities for poorly children '“ GOSH and ECHO.

Joseph Healy, 27, of Sundown Avenue will be accompanied by the twins’ godfather, James Leahy, 34, whose own daughter Amelia was born in October with a heart defect. The tiny tot will have an operation at Evelina Children’s Heart Hospital next month.

Dunstable baby George Healy who underwent major heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital when he was only a few hours oldplaceholder image
Dunstable baby George Healy who underwent major heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital when he was only a few hours old

They and two friends, Bradley Smith and Jamie Pounceby, expect it will take 15 days to reach their destination – Fez in Morocco.

Joseph said: “We chose Africa because we thought the bigger the challenge, the more money we could raise.” Their target is £10,000.

The Transport for London train technician, who plays for the first team at Luton Rugby Club, has five children with his wife Jessica, a stay-at-home mum. George has a healthy twin brother, Tommy.

> Go to virginmoneygiving.com/team/challangeafrica

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