Raised so far: £1,674.22
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My story

 
Thank you to all those who supported me and who sponsored me, it's very humbling.  Donations will benefit the King's College Hospital Intensive Care Unit [ICU].

Well I did it, I completed the 2008 London Marathon. I can't say I really enjoyed much of the day [the photo proves that]. Not being a "celebrity", and being honest with my estimated run time, meant I had to start almost at the back of the field. It took me 14 minutes to reach the start, further on runner congestion [where's the mayor's charge?] meant I had to stop twice, it was like being in a coma again


But enough complaining, I just have to remind myself of where I was when the 2007 London Marathon was taking place - in the ICU at King's where they helped to save my life. The afternoon before I was out training on my bike for an Ironman triathlon when I was hit head-on by a van. 51 weeks on and I've managed to run the race myself.

The collision left me with a fractured skull, brain haemorrhage, broken ribs, clavicle & scapula, [I'm still rehabilitating my right shoulder], a punctured lung and a severed jugular. A bystander stopped me from bleeding to death and the Sussex Police helicopter air-lifted me to Worthing General. After a blood transfusion and my blood pressure stabilising I was moved to King's College Hospital in London in case I needed a brain operation - it's the centre of excellence for brain injury in the SE of England - but being an Ironman meant I was made of strong stuff and I didn't need the op! I was in a coma for four days and have no memory of the accident, or my time in hospital for about two weeks afterwards.

I didn't get to go home from that training ride for 9 weeks!!

This year's London Marathon was a challenging target on my long road to recovery, I've improved a lot since my feeble first attempt at running after returning home from hospital -  and I'm humbled that my running the race will help others too.

Of course our health system is state funded, but that doesn't provide all the funds that are needed for special pieces of equipment. My hope is that nobody else, especially those of us out training, will ever need the services of the ICU.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: King’s College Hospital Charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

If you haven't already, please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Carpe Diem.

PS That photo is me suffering in the last few yards to the finish

tritalk love care of luca4 Donation by mrchopsaloty 10/05/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Brilliant effort. Donation by The Parry's 29/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

i'm well impressed! Congratulations! Donation by fran 22/04/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done! Donation by Pete Holley 20/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Rachel C 19/04/08  

£10.00

Donation by Dave W 19/04/08  

£20.00

Hurrah for Vince! - Well done Donation by Vicky & Trevor 18/04/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Carpe diem - indeed! Wonderful achievement. It won't be long before Ben will want to race you to the finish line! You've inspired me to apply - 2009. Donation by Jo-Anna Wright (Miss Wright!) 17/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done buddy. Awesome! Donation by Tracy Harris 16/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Your doctors could hardly believe you had survived. An incredible effort to graft and grind out your recovery. A great role model for Ben and Isobel. Donation by Mum and Dad 15/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Vince What an achiever, and you didn't even need your Its a Knockout Costume. What a way to start the year, This is your Springboard Vince! Donation by Paul Harris 15/04/08  

£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid

You are MY HERO! well done mate, Donation by Rich Merry 14/04/08  

£51.00 + £14.38 Gift Aid

Absolutely fantastic effort , Vince - the ironman. Donation by Chris and Diane 12/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Run Strong! Donation by Paul L 12/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Can't wait to see you after the finish line - all the best X Donation by Rich Carter 10/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You Can Do It! Donation by Geoff Long 10/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You won't need your snowshoes this week, relish every moment! Donation by Andy@egtri.com 09/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Enjoy the day Vince. Donation by Clare Collett 08/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Have a great day Vince - you deserve it! Donation by Tony Lintern 07/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck mate, enjoy the day and give yourself a pat on the back at such an amazing recovery Donation by Noel Miles 07/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best Donation by a4gps 06/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Vince, and I'll chuck in another tenner when you beat my London Marthon time (4:43) from last year Donation by Pete Holley 05/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck, wishing you all the very best Donation by Lyn Knapton 03/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well done- good luck! Donation by rich 02/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the best Donation by clive spencer 30/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good health to the Golding Family! Donation by Alan & Pat Ackerman 27/03/08  

£100.00

Good Luck!! Donation by Phil Read 27/03/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Donation by Gary Kendall 27/03/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement to get to the start, let alone the finish. Donation by Jonathan Mortimer 27/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

GOOD LUCK Donation by SYNERGY 27/03/08  

£25.00
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* Total raised online: £1,674.22
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £428.50

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