UPDATE SUN 16 MAY 2010:

I'm delighted to report that Rachel's Headstrong Ride was an overwhelming success. 123 riders took part, pedalling 7.5 miles on the Rea Valley cycle path in Birmingham, from Cannon Hill Park to Kings Norton Park and back.  The sun was shining, the atmosphere was fantastic, and both targets of 106 riders (1 for every NHS worker I remember treating me throughout my recovery) and £1,000 for charity, have been completely obliterated! Thank you to all you very generous people who either rode, donated or supported by marshalling on the day - the Brummie family cycling community rock and community spirit is very much alive and well.

With gift aid, we're now at a staggering £2,838.49 - I'm being greedy now and would love us to break the £3,000 mark - can you help?

Best,

Rachel and the Headstrong Riders

x

UPDATE 5.30PM SAT 8 MAY 2010:

We've had an overwhelming response to this event! Entries to ride are now CLOSED, at 110 riders with Anna Allsop as the last advance rider. The final 10 places to ride will be allocated on the day, on a first come, first served basis. The absolute official number of riders permitted is 120.

We would like to thank you for your tremendous support - if you're sponsoring a Headstrong Rider to pedal, your donation is still most welcome!

Rachel and the Headstrong Riders

x

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On 9 May 2009 I was out cycling, when I lost control of my bike on a descent and ended up ploughing into a tree head first at 25mph.  The impact to my head fractured my spine in 3 places, and it was going to be a long road to recovery.

I have a number of reasons to be thankful: I was wearing a helmet, which saved my life; my wonderful husband Adrian was with me when it happened, and he stopped me from getting up; I had amazing NHS treatment to get me back on my feet again; I've suffered no head injury or paralysis.

So I would like to say thanks by doing something positive to mark the anniversary of my accident, and to raise money for the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI), who gave me such fantastic specialist care when I needed it most.  The MCSI is based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry - if you're unfortunate enough to suffer a serious spinal injury in Birmingham, this is where you would be treated.

Rachel's Headstrong Ride takes place on Sunday 9 May 2010, and I'm recruiting 106 cyclists - that's one for every member of NHS staff I remember treating me throughout my recovery - to join me in a family cycle ride on the Rea Valley Route from Cannon Hill Park to Kings Norton Park and back.  Helmets are compulsory!

All entry fees go to the charitable fund connected to the hospital, and earmarked to help support patient care in the MCSI.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

I welcome your support in this venture.

Helmets save lives - fact.

Rachel & the Headstrong Riders

xx