\n Alex and Selena Matti, who met as pupils at Stanwell School,\u00a0are undertaking the ride to honour their son, Otis Zev Matti, who died on May 6, 2025, at just five and a half months old.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their initial goal was to raise \u00a320,000 for two institutions that played a crucial role in Otis\u2019s short life – Evelina London Children\u2019s Hospital and Chestnut Tree House, a children\u2019s hospice in West Sussex.\n<\/p>\n
\n At time of going to press, the total was over \u00a330,000 and they have increased the target to \u00a340,000.\n<\/p>\n
\n Couple cycling from London to Spain after losing baby boy (Image: Selena Matti)\n<\/p>\n
\n Otis was just seven weeks old when he suddenly stopped breathing at home on January 6. His mother performed CPR while waiting for emergency services. He was rushed to Evelina London where he was placed in an induced coma and admitted to intensive care.\n<\/p>\n
\n Initially, an MRI scan showed only minor brain damage, but as Otis began to wake, his medical team noticed more serious neurological symptoms. Over the following weeks, extensive tests were conducted-\u00a0including genetic, metabolic, and neurological investigations – but no clear diagnosis emerged.\n<\/p>\n
\n Though he was eventually successfully extubated, Otis remained dependent on high-level respiratory support including Opti-flow oxygen therapy, frequent wafted oxygen, and at times, emergency bagging due to extreme brady desaturations – sudden drops in oxygen and heart rate.\n<\/p>\n
\n Doctors later diagnosed Otis with a severe neurological condition that would require 24\/7 specialist care and respiratory support. It became clear that survival outside of intensive care would not be possible without invasive airway protection. His parents made the heart-breaking decision to move him to Chestnut Tree House, where they could spend his final days together as a family.\n<\/p>\n
\n (Image: Selena Matti)\n<\/p>\n
\n At the hospice, Otis experienced moments of peace and joy –\u00a0including meeting a baby goat and taking walks through the gardens cradled in his parents\u2019 arms. On May 6th, a cold he had contracted progressed into a chest infection. Despite all efforts, Otis could not fight it off and passed away peacefully with his parents beside him.\n<\/p>\n
\n Now, in an act of both remembrance and resilience, the couple has set out on a mammoth cycling trip – a challenge made all the more remarkable given that neither of them were trained cyclists before starting. Their journey began on June 11th at Greenwich Park, where members of the Evelina care team gathered to see them off. They plan to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, and cycle through France to reach San Sebasti\u00e1n by July 3.\n<\/p>\n
\n Couple cycling from London to Spain after losing baby boy (Image: Selena Matti) San Sebasti\u00e1n, a place dear to the couple, is where they always hoped to take Otis. His ashes will be scattered there at the journey\u2019s end ,\u00a0fulfilling, in their words, “one last adventure” for their son.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe promised Otis we would live for him. This is our first step,\u201d Selena\u00a0said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n
\n They are documenting their journey on their YouTube channel @MattiFam<\/a> and are encouraging donations to their fundraiser at:\n<\/p>\n