Your Covid 19 Heroes
This is the first of our series of blogs focusing on the six lucky winners of our free ‘Who is your Covid Hero’ cycling camp places in spring 2021. For those of you that don’t know, Viva Velo ran a ‘Who is your Covid Hero’ offer starting in March of this year seeking to reward just some of the thousands of people who were responsible for keeping us all going during those early months of the crisis. As a cycle tour company, Viva Velo cannot manufacture PPE or ventilators but we thought that if we could offer some light at the end of the tunnel for just a few of those Covid heroes by giving them a free cycling holiday then we’d be helping them in some small way.
John Husband at work as a senior charge nurse during the Covid crisis at Addenbrookes hospital
We had a fantastic response to the offer – as you might expect – and it was extremely hard to pick just six of the nominees to receive the free places. But for those who missed out there was the opportunity to join us in Mallorca by taking one of our ‘not-for-profit’ places for just £300. Viva Velo make no profit at all from these places (as the name implies) and they represent a bargain we hope you agree!
Covid Hero: John Husband Senior Charge Nurse - Addenbrookes Hospital
So, to the first lucky nominee to gain a free place on our Covid 19 Hero Camp next year in Mallorca. His name is John Husband and he is 33 years old and works as a senior charge nurse in A&E Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge having previously worked in critical care at Papworth Hospital. As such, John has been at the very forefront of the crisis, leading his team through the most difficult challenge of their lives. His partner, Sarah, works as a paramedic so has also been in the front-line in fighting the Corona virus. Jointly they have made huge sacrifices, not least because their son has had to move in with his grandmother to allow them both to continue their vital work.
John is a passionate cyclist often cycling the 30 miles to and from work AND putting in a 12 hour shift between times!
Being diagnosed with diabetes when he was just seven has not stopped John becoming a passionate cyclist – often cycling the 30 miles to work before doing a 12 hour shift! Originally a mountain biker he bought his first road bike six years ago and is dedicated to encouraging other diabetics to take up the sport. He was proud to qualify to represent GB in the World Grand Fondo Championship in 2016 and also rode the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive in 2019 – soldiering on – as you might expect - despite the awful freezing conditions.
We certainly hope that the weather that will greet him on our Mallorca camp will be a bit more clement. Well done John. You (and Sarah) are truly deserving of this trip. Truly Covid heroes both.
Covid Hero: Rachel Coe-O’Brien - Paediatric Physiotherapist - Croydon University Hospital
The second of our ‘Covid Heroes is Rachel Coe-O’Brien, who was nominated by her partner, Andy Baker. Andy’s tribute to Rachel in his nomination meant she was an obvious choice to receive one of the six places we had on offer at our Covid Hero Mallorca camp:
“Rachel has been on the front line of this crisis from day one. She has poured her heart and soul into caring for her patients, often working incredible hours yet never once complaining. She is the most compassionate and caring person that I have had the pleasure of meeting, and after cycling with her in the past when training for an Ironman I know that this trip would mean everything to her.”
How could we resist such a glowing commendation? Apart from her obvious dedication to her job in the face of Covid 19 Rachel obviously has a passion for cycling (and triathlon):
“I will always remember going to buy my first real bike with my dad, a Bianchi Via Nirone from Geoffrey Butlers in Croydon in 2011. This would fill numerous roles; my trusty commuter, my training bike and my racing bike, all as I was starting out in the world of triathlon! It has served me well – it has travelled with me to Mallorca for a photoshoot for Cycling Weekly, covered many miles to and from central London as well as countless weekend trips to Brighton, the Surrey hills, Kent and more. My upgrade came in the form of a De Rosa (I like the Italians!) purchased while working at Evans cycles. It has taken me to many a race, traveling to Chicago for the ITU World Championship, representing GB for my age-group and completing the ride 100 in 2017.”
What Rachel is too modest to mention is that she finished a very creditable 19th (out of 84 competitors) in that 2015 ITU World Triathlon Championship bettering her 34th position two years earlier in London. And all this while continuing to work hard in her healthcare role. When Covid 19 hit, Rachel’s life was turned upside down.
Rachel in full PPE during her work helping Covid patients in ICU
When Covid 19 hit, Rachel’s life was turned upside down.
“I had just started my new job as a paediatric physiotherapist, moving over from my previous role as a respiratory physio. I was almost immediately redeployed to the acute adult team in the hospital, initially managing two wards that had been designated specifically for Covid-19 patients, relying on ventilators to help with their breathing. I was then moved over to help the crack team of ICU physiotherapists rotating weekly to reduce their viral exposure and to relieve them of the mental and physical strain of working in that environment. Hazmat suits became our daily attire, sweat patches and mask imprints, our marks of war.”
Reflecting on that period, Rachel is glad to have been able to make a contribution to fighting the virus,
“Looking back, I am so thankful I was able to come in to work every day to make a difference, to spend time with my friends and colleagues and to come home to an amazingly supportive partner. Thankfully, I am now back in my paediatric role, looking forward to beachy head marathon in October (hopefully!), long rides around Surrey and Kent and my cycling holiday to Mallorca next spring in preparation for my half ironman!”
Rachel’s passion is for cycling and triathlon - competing creditably at World Championship level
We are looking forward to welcoming you, Rachel, and introducing you to our ride leaders Rhian – an Ironwoman triathlete and Jules – a fellow physiotherapist co-opted to the frontline during the Covid crisis. We are sure you’ll get on like a house on fire!