Story
Remarkably, after 1hr 42 mins of forward motion, I am still smiling! That's right people, I survived and completed the London Triathlon. And my suffering has not ended as I picked up a nasty bug in the Thames... enough said!
So, the most painful bit has been completed, and I am tantalisingly close to reaching my fundraising target! So, if you were having a think about sponsoring me - please do! The thought that the money I raised would give hope to the likes of little Sam, made it all worthwhile. Even the run which was more of a 5km waddle due to my flat feet!
For those that have already sponsored me, thank you so much, you are all brilliant!
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So, having settled into the routine of working in London and trying to stay on a horse at the weekends (not all that successfully of late!) I have decided that I am ready for a challenge, which I hope will raise a significant amount of money for Spinal Research. This has been prompted by a couple of events over the last few years. For some time now my mother has been involved with Spinal Research, and by default, so have I! I have met some amazing people, who, although faced with extraordinary adversity, are so positive about life.
Every year more than 800 people in the UK and Ireland are paralysed following an injury to their spinal cord. Thanks to the pioneering research funded by Spinal Research, paralysis can now be treated and we stand on the brink of applying therapies that will restore movement and feeling and transform the lives of paralysed people. Whilst many incur these injuries taking part in risky activities, some are subject to terrible accidents completely beyond thier control. I was recently part of the launch of a new initiative by Spinal Research, myspine.org, as a 'near miss', having fractured my lower spine a couple of years ago. Whilst attending the launch event I heard some incredible stories, but the one that touched me most was that of little Sam. He is now 4 years old, but at just 18 months he and his mother were travelling back from a day out when they were involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. Sam was resuscitated at the scene, and spent a brave few weeks in hospital in a critical condition. Furthermore, a scan revealed he had fractured bones in his upper spine, and this had left him paralyzed from the neck down, unable to move his arms and legs, and only able to breathe with the aid of a ventilator. Yet despite this he had a cheeky smile for everyone and was proudly displaying his favourite tractor on his lap.
Up until now I have toyed with the idea of the Marathon or the London Triathlon but have ultimately dismissed it as being 'too hard' because of many 'reasons' (better described as excuses!) I have flat feet (and thus run like a duck!), have mild asthma, am the wrong 'shape' to run, look ghastly in a wet suit, am better suited to sports where I am sat down for the duration, i.e. rowing and riding... the list goes on! But these challenges are so minor compared to those faced by the likes of Sam. The research carried out by Spinal Research gives real hope to those suffering with spinal injury, and there is a real possibility that your donations will provide a cure for young Sam in his lifetime. One aspect of the research so far has shown encouraging results for the regeneration of spinal cord, and this area is nearing clinical trials. Even a small regeneration of Sam's spinal cord could make such a massive difference to Sam; it could mean he could breathe without the help of a ventilator and could restore the use of his arms.
The triathlon is on the 10 August, and I have only just signed up, leaving me not a huge amount of time to train. This really will be a challenge for me, and I'm hoping to raise my target of £2,500. Please dig deep for this charity which I feel so passionate about. And for those that wish to come and point and laugh at my endeavours you are more than welcome. Lee recommends the first transition point as a good viewing spot - it seems watching me struggle out of a skin tight neoprene wetsuit, unaided, prior to the cycle phase is a hilarious sight!
So please sponsor me now!