A SOUTHAMPTON dad who feared his son would never be able hold a pen let alone ride a bike is taking on a mammoth cycle to thank medics for transforming his life.

David Berry’s son Patrick was born with congenital hand deformities, with no thumb on his right hand and no motor function in his left thumb, making it almost impossible for him to grip and hold things.

But thanks to surgery when he was just one-year-old, surgeons turned his index finger into a thumb and operated on his left hand to stabilise the thumb – giving him the chance to lead a normal life.

Now his dad David is summoning all his pedal power to cycle in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on Sunday to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH), to give back to the medics who did so much for his son.

David, a regional director at UPP, said: “It was clear that without help he would not be able to undertake simple but essential tasks such as holding a pen or cutlery, let alone fun things like riding a bike.”

The challenge, which takes off from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and ends on The Mall, will see 20,000 cyclists follow Olympic cycle routes around Surrey’s famous Box Hill and along the Thames.

David added: “Without the surgery, occupational therapy and care he would not be able to hold a pen, a knife or a fork, cycle or even play for Southampton hockey club – which he does now.

“I wanted to help the charity raise money for the children and families that will follow us.

“The chance to cycle the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 came up and it just seemed right, given that Patrick loves his bike and GOSH gave him that along with many other things.”

A proud Patrick will be watching his dad take off from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in East London, on Sunday.

• To sponsor David visit justgiving.com/David-Berry2.