Hi all,

If you’ve clicked on, then you’ll realise that this is the page that I will ask you for your hard earned money. BUT, with so many great causes to support, I understand if you can’t support this one, however the story is free.

Before October 2017, the idea that I could need a service that helps people after acquired brain injuries or spinal damage was not something that had crossed my mind. However, whilst on call in the first few weeks of being qualified, I received a phone call where I was told that my long term back pain was due to a tumour that was compressing my spinal cord and that I needed to be referred urgently to the neurosurgeons. I finished the call, took an hour to pull myself together and went back to work.

Several appointments, multiple scans, and numerous boxes of takeaway later, my symptoms of back pain and numbness in my legs were getting worse. Despite all of this, the incredible support of my friends and family were the reason I was able to get through the months of waiting for a surgical date and dealing with the uncertainty of not knowing whether this tumour was cancerous or benign (not cancerous). 

Five months after my initial phone call, my family had flown in from around the world to walk me to my operation. A procedure where none of us had any assurance of what the outcome would be. Thanks to the outstanding ability of my neurosurgeon and his dedicated team at Salford Royal hospital, my procedure was extremely successful. I walked away from the hospital and a few weeks later received another phone call telling me that my tumour was benign (a Schwanomma for my medical friends)

Since the surgery, I have been able to take ownership of my recovery because of the outstanding work and care I received under the NHS. I went from steps to stairs to walking with no complications. By the end of 2018, I was given the go ahead to re-introduce low impact exercise, which was useful as I had put on over 15kg during this time (not a side effect of the tumour but of my dealing with the situation!) As a personal goal, I decided to sign myself up for a triathlon, something that I have never done before as I wanted to use it as a tool to motivate myself and to bring some form of normality and stability back to my
life.

This is where BASIC come in. My story, although uncertain and still very much not finished, could have turned out very differently. A few more millimetres of growth, a simple fall onto my back whilst waiting for my operation or a slip of the hand during the procedure and I may not be in this position where I can now put myself forward to compete in a triathlon. That’s why I want to swim, cycle and run to raise money for BASIC and the work that they do supporting the patients, families and carers of those who have a story that ended differently to mine. Their holistic approach in supporting patients plays a pivotal role in the recovery and day to day life of those who have suffered neurological injuries. Of note, their virtual reality rehabilitation would have been a service that I specifically may have needed, a life size simulation that allows patients with a disability to practice real-life situations in a safe and controlled environment, leading to improved physical stamina, better cognitive skills, dual tasking and improved confidence. 

Since November 2018 I have been working hard to strengthen myself to swim the 1,500 metres, cycle the 36km and run the 10km in Leeds on June 9th 2019, and I would now like to ask for your support in helping me raise money for this charity.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends who supported me during this time and beyond, we never know when we might need help, thank you for always being ready. This triathlon won’t be pretty, but I’m working hard to try and finish it.

Thank you,

Tim x