Former patient, Toby Morgan-Grenville, with Horatio's brother, Titus Chapple, along with Robin Butler, Olivia Caplan and Mortimer McKechnie, are taking on the mammoth challenge of cycling to all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in 11 days.

These centres are spread throughout the UK and the journey will total nearly 1100 miles. Starting in Belfast on 24th July and ending in Salisbury on 4th August. 

TO FOLLOW THEIR PROGRESS PLEASE GO TO
@horatioscycle ON INSTAGRAM or www.horatiosgarden.org.uk

There are currently six Horatio's Gardens open across the UK and the charity's mission is to establish a Horatio's Garden in all 11 NHS spinal injury centres across the UK. 

At every centre, the team will raise awareness of Horatio's Garden and get involved with activities in the current Horatio's Gardens. 

Your generous donations will not only help motivate the team, but help everyone who is affected by spinal cord injuries. 

We are so grateful to Red Savannah, Sturgeon Capital, Cogent International and Spinal Care for their generous sponsorship and to The Gosling Foundation and Real Stories Gallery Foundation for their generous support. 

MEET THE TEAM:

Toby Morgan-Grenville 

In 2017, Toby was diagnosed with a dorsal thoracic arachnoid web (i.e a growth on his spine) that rendered him paraplegic. It was a condition that was (and still is) incredibly rare and can go undiagnosed until it's too late. From Southmead in Bristol where he underwent major spinal surgery to remove the growth he was moved to Salisbury Spinal Unit- the original site of Horatio's Garden. Through his slow recovery to full mobility, the gardens provided a safe space to interact with friends and family away from the hospital noises and machines, it also offered the chance to partake in activities, not normally possible whilst horizontal in a hospital bed. It is a wonderful separate space that removes patients from their reality even for a short time. It was a much needed reminder that there is a lot more to life than the hospital surroundings. 

At Horatio's Garden there was a constant stream of friendly faces and plenty of cake to keep you fighting each day.  It was instrumental to Toby's recovery, many of the patients in spinal units undergo months and sometimes years of recovery, without Horatio's Garden it would be that much harder. 

Toby is therefore riding to raise money for Horatio’s Garden, so that they can continue to provide essential support to those who need it the most. His life would likely be very different had he not had Horatio’s Garden!

Q&A: 

What are you most looking forward to? - The downhill sections.

What are you least looking forward to? - The uphill sections.

Riding style? - Really awful and totally out of my depth!

Olivia Caplan

Olivia has been aware of Horatio's Garden for a number of years but since meeting her fiancé Toby she has witnessed the tremendously positive impact the charity had on his recovery and rehabilitation. It is remarkable how a space such as the garden at Salisbury Hospital can fundamentally change the way a person recovers from spinal injury. 

Without the garden, Toby wouldn’t necessarily have made a full recovery and certainly wouldn’t be doing this challenge! As such Olivia feels a huge sense of gratitude to Horatio’s Garden for the long term impact that it had on Toby and therefore the life they lead together going forwards.

What are most looking forward to? Snacks, endless excuses for snacks! 

What are you least looking forward to? The dodgy tan lines, not a good look for a girl! 

Riding style? Grumpy, wingy and full of crude conversation to keep spirits up!

Titus Chapple

Titus is Horatio’s middle brother. Titus was 15 when Horatio died. He's riding to honour Horatio and help build his legacy.

Titus has been a volunteer for Horatio’s Garden since the start of the charity and has seen first-hand the impact of the gardens on patients and their families.

He now chairs the charity’s thriving young peoples’ supporter group organising events and fundraising activities for the under 30s.

Most looking forward to about the cycle? The amount of pasta I can eat 

Least looking forward to? Head winds and hills

Riding style? Powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Robin Butler

Robin and Horatio were in the same year at school, and Robin has been involved with the charity from its early days. Born in Salisbury, the location of the first garden, Robin in fact lived in the house which the Chapple's now own, and which Horatio grew up in, for the first 3 years of his life. Raised in Herefordshire and now based in London, 

Robin has taken part in and helped out various Horatio's Garden events over the years, including helping to organise the inaugural Horatio's Garden Young Supporters drinks last year.

What are you most looking forward to about the cycle? Being able to eat as much as I want for 11 days and not feel guilty

What are you least looking forward to about the cycle? Chafed undercarriage

Riding style? steady, building up to a sprint finish

Mortimer McKechnie 

Immediately taken by the profound impact the gardens have on the lives of those in care, Mortimer jumped at the opportunity to be involved. Introduced to the Chapple’s by university friend and teammate Robin Butler, Mortimer was delighted to be the newest recruit kicking off a long-standing involvement with the charity. Having grown up not far from Salisbury with two older brothers has meant he’s somewhat familiar with the general hospital…

What are you most looking forward to about the cycle? As Spike from Notting Hill so eloquently put it: “Nice firm buttocks”.

What are you least looking forward to about the cycle? The bits where it goes up.

Riding style? The Hare to Robin’s Tortoise

Platinum Sponsorship: Red Savannah

Red Savannah is the world’s leading luxury travel company. The experience we offer strives to be authentic, substantial and intelligent. No glitz. No hogwash. Just cutting edge travel, redefined for the 21^st century.

Kindly supported by

Gold Sponsorship: Sturgeon Capital

Sturgeon Capital is a London-based venture firm investing in high impact start-ups in emerging markets that are solving the key problems affecting the day-to-day lives of businesses and consumers.

Silver Sponsorship: Cogent International Limited

Cogent is an independent, London-based insurance broker. They're different to their bigger competitors, thinking and acting more quickly. Cogent are a little more approachable and a lot more passionate. With their open, innovative approach, Cogent delivers bespoke solutions for complex insurance and reinsurance needs.


Silver Sponsorship: Spinal Care Specialist Ltd

Silver Sponsorship: Real Stories Gallery Foundation