A RUNCORN dad is cycling from London to Paris to thank doctors for saving his daughter’s life.

Mike Leadbeater hopes his gruelling 311-mile marathon will raise £1,450 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Four years ago, his nine-year-old daughter, Emily, contracted Ecoli 0157, which led to kidney failure.

Mike, aged 41, of Cameron Avenue, said: “It started as a usual childhood sickness.

“After a blood test at Warrington Hospital, she was sent by ambulance to Alder Hey. She had to have an operation to go on dialysis and had a full blood transfusion.

“She was only five, a petite little thing. Thankfully, her kidneys kicked back in on their own.

“We just feel so indebted to Alder Hey for saving her life. Without this hospital and their amazing staff we would not have our gorgeous Emily with us today.”

Emily made a full recovery.

Just as Mike was planning his French charity ride in 2012, he fell seriously ill himself on a bike ride.

Dad-of-two Mike said: “I had a brain haemorrhage out of the blue. It was like a big clap of thunder in my head.

“They never found out the cause.”

After three weeks in hospital, Mike was given the all-clear and returned to his work as a chef in Chester.

Medics said his fitness had helped him to recovery.

His wife, Helen, aged 39, said:”Me and the girls travel all over the place to cheer Mike on his charity bike rides.”

Children at Weston Point Primary School, where Emily is a pupil, raised £645 from a non-uniform day and cake sale.

Her sister, Jessica, aged 13, attends The Heath.

Mike’s ride is in April but he has to raise £800 to secure his place by the end of January.

To sponsor him, visit doitforcharity/michaeljohnleadbeater