September 2010
Consultant Physician Dr David Smithard, along with his son, joined a team of cyclists who cycled to Paris from London in aid of the charity Scope. Spire St Saviour's Hospital was one of many company and individual sponsors for the event.
A number of corporate and individual sponsors including Spire St Saviour's Hospital in Hythe sponsored Dr David Smithard who joined a team of cyclists attempting to ride to Paris from London in 24 hours to raise money for Scope. Scope is a Charity which raises funds for people with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a fixed brain damage occurring before or at the time of birth. Further information can be found on the Scope website.
Dr Smithard said "I undertook the ride as a challenge, having previously ridden from London to Paris over several days, the opportunity to attempt it over 24 hours was something not to be passed up. The ride was hard, especially at 2 am with mist limiting vision to end of teh beam of light from the bike. Arriving at the Eiffel Tower within the 24 hours was exciting. The rest of saturday was a blur as we spent the time half asleep".