A GRATEFUL father is preparing to go the distance to thank doctors who helped treat his baby son.

Michael Medenica, 35, will lead a 20-man team of cyclists from Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool later this month.

The 50-mile trip will raise cash for Alder Hey’s Ronald McDonald House.

The cause is particularly important to Michael, from Bagillt, as he regularly stayed in the facility with partner Rebecca Hynes while their baby, also called Michael, was receiving crucial medical support after being born with just one kidney on St David’s Day.

He said: “I want to help them as much as possible, as they rely on charitable donations. It costs £25 per night for them to provide accommodation and it is important that as many families as possible can stay there.

“I’m not a keen cyclist and the same goes for several of the others joining me. I’ve been on a few 20-mile runs but wanted to do this challenge for Ronald McDonald House. It will involve climbing a few hills and will be quite a challenge.”

Baby Michael was born at Glan Clwyd, but was rushed to Alder Hey and spent two spells, totalling 34 days, undergoing operations and receiving treatment to limit the risk of him suffering kidney failure.

Now five months old, the battling baby has made excellent progress. He continues to return to Alder Hey for check-ups and will receive an operation to reverse his initial treatment when he turns one year old.

His dad, who works for Bank of America in Chester, said: “He’s doing really well now and is going to be a strong little man. He is no problem at all.

“His latest scan showed a massive improvement from previously and we hope he will continue to improve.”

Rebecca, 22, said: “Being able to stay at Ronald McDonald House made the 34 days Michael was in hospital easier and meant I could stay and go and see him.

“They want to build 15 new flats and apartments to help families in a similar situation and we want to raise funds through events like this to help them.”

Bank of America has helped out with the fundraising.

The challenge on Sunday, August 29, will not be a non-stop mission, as the riders will call at venues including Michael’s local pub, Blossoms in Bagillt, to help raise awareness of the venture and their cause.