Haverhill: Dad's 100-mile trek for eight-year-old Harper

Dean Davis, 48, is planning to walk 106 miles from Nottingham hospital to his family's home in Haverhill from Tuesday, May 23 to Friday, May 26.

The Kedington Fitness Centre owner is fundraising in honour of his daughter Harper, who contracted E-coli and a rare secondary infection while on a family holiday in Norfolk in 2018.

Harper, who contracted E-coli and a rare secondary infection while on a family holiday in Norfolk in 2018. (Image: The Davis Family)

After Harper's health deteriorated, she was taken to West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, before being transferred to a specialist unit at Nottingham Queens Hospital.

"We were terrified that we could have lost our daughter," said Mr Davis.

"I consider how lucky we are to have her here."

The family made numerous round trips to help care for Harper, during which time she had a kidney transplant from her auntie Donna Davis, 58.

Paying homage to this journey, Mr Davis is now gearing up for his 106-mile trek across the country with an entourage of family and friends.

"It's a route that my family have completed back and forth for surgery and care," he said.

Mr Davis is setting off with a group of family and friends at the end of May. (Image: The Davis Family)

"We are hoping to raise funds for the hospital which saved her life and continues to treat and support her.

"We're also fundraising for our local diabetes clinic at West Suffolk Hospital as, due to the infection, my daughter is now type 1 diabetic so needs care and support for this too."

Part of the money raised will go to Harper's school, which has helped her during this difficult time.

The Haverhill dad also hopes to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes and kidney donors: "Harper has got her own scars and traumas and gets flashbacks all the time.

"But every day that we see her is a miracle."