Last November I was lucky enough to support Vitality's work in Bangladesh.  For two weeks, Lucy, Trish, Angela and I, a small but enthusiastic team set out to train two couples affected by spinal cord injury to be teachers.  In seven days they would train 12 more people affected by SCI in manual handling, relationships, bladder and bowel management and wheelchair skills. 

I had prepared for heartache and a dodgy tummy... but what I found was warmth, humour and hard work (not to mention the odd rat!).

For less than £6,000 we gave a small community the practical skills and confidence to push outside their home, go back to college and set up a shop, when life expectancy is normally less than 3 years and quality of life is so poor, many people will never leave their home again after discharge from hosptial.

Vitalty's goal is simple; train local people affected by spinal cord injury to train more local people affected by spinal cord injury.  In 5 years we hope to be out of Bangladesh because our work is sustainable and working in another low income country where they really need us.

So... in my oh so much free time I'm pounding the streets, swimming in my lunch hour and cycling Richmond park any chance I can get.  I'm doing this so that I can get round the Henley Tri with some dignity, but most of all to raise as much as I can for Vitality's excellent work. 

Vitality is run from a kitchen table led only by volunteers.  Every pound goes direct to the work we deliver overseas.

Please dig deep because I'm not doing this for less than £500!

Thank you xxx