On the morning of 28 July, Jez started to feel unwell. Within 24 hours, he was fighting for his life in Intensive Care — intubated and placed on a ventilator.

Doctors discovered that a Strep A bacteria infection had entered his lungs, causing refractory septic shock and multi-organ failure. As his condition rapidly deteriorated and his cardiac output fell to just 10%, doctors connected him to an ECMO machine to take over the work of his heart and lungs.

What followed was a battle that would change life forever.

During his time in Intensive Care, Jez developed compartment syndrome in his left leg, leading to massive bleeding and devastating damage to his muscles and tissue. Over the next four months in ICU, he underwent more than 20 surgeries to remove dead muscle tissue and, heartbreakingly, lost most of his right foot.

After nine months in hospital, Jez finally came home.

But despite everything he has endured, Jez remains determined to rebuild his life and return to the things he loves most — especially mountain biking with his son, Arthur.

For Jez and Arthur, mountain biking was never just a hobby. It was freedom, adventure, time together, and a huge part of family life. Since leaving hospital, Jez has faced enormous physical challenges, but his determination to get back outdoors has never faded.

That’s why we are raising £7,500 towards the cost of a Bowhead Reach adapted mountain bike — an incredible off-road adaptive bike that would allow Jez to ride trails again, regain independence, and share those special moments with Arthur once more.

The Bowhead Reach is specially designed for riders with complex mobility challenges, opening up terrain and experiences that would otherwise be impossible. But at £15,000, it is far beyond what most families living with disability can afford.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Jez one step closer to the trails, to recovery, and to making new memories with Arthur.

Thank you for supporting Jez’s journey back to the outdoors.

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