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On the 5th November 1997, my brother rang to tell me that Mum had been involved in a car accident, hit from the side by a van driver who wasn't looking. She had suffered very serious head injuries from which she died some 5 years later. The journey for Mum and the rest of the family from that day onwards was a long and very difficult one not least because, initially we had no idea how to cope with someone with serious head injuries. Although clinically the medical team supporting her were tremendous we, like most people who over night had to deal with such a life changing event and the immeasurable upheaval a serious head injury causes to both the  individual and their friends and loved ones, had to learn how to work with mum who had so fundamentally changed. After some researching we found Headway, who provided us with great support and practical advice as to how best to work with mum and they helped us learn more about head injuries and the different ways in which they affect someone’s personality, coordination, movement and independence. Like so many charities they do such great work with limited funds and in short when I was asked by a friend if I wanted to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats I thought that if I am going to do that I best try and raise some money for Headway.

Anyway, it is now after the 14th May and I am pleased to be able to confirm that we have done it!

 

There has been a fair bit of pain along the way; more than a few lung bursting climbs through Cornwall, the Lake District and the Highlands of Scotland but what a journey!

 

It is something I will never forget. I have made new friends, friends I hope for life, have found out a few more things about myself and rediscovered some of the bits about myself I had left behind some years ago. It has caused us all to re evaluate many things in our lives and as if we needed reminding, helped us all to appreciate how lucky we are being fit and well and thanking God for having strong and loving families and  friends.

 

It hasn't been a Damascus journey but its been pretty close and I will recall with great affection the many wonderful things that we experienced together.

 

Anyway, thank you all for your support and thank you for any late comers for giving as well. I have achieved my personal target which is to have completed the journey and I am thrilled as I know my brother and sister and my immdiate family are, that you have all helped me raise such an enormous sum of money for such a great charity.

Many thanks to you all, my Mum would be very chuffed!!

Alistair