I will be running the 2016 Lincoln Half marathon to raise money for Stoke Mandeville Spinal research.
On December 18th 2013 I was involved in a very serious road traffic accident in Lincolnshire near Market Rasen.
I have no recollection of the accident, but sadly I was responsible for it. For an unexplained reason my vehicle passed into the oncoming lane, resulting in a head on collision.
That accident sadly caused serious injuries to two young girls travelling in another car and has had a lasting affect on them and their families. I too will have to live with this for the rest of my life and will always be deeply sorry for this.
I have since had the chance on several occasions to meet with one of the girls Kate Hunter (right in the photo) and her mother Sue (left in the photo) and had the chance to listen to how the accident affected them and their views of what happened.
From the start what inspired me was Kate and Sue's pragmatism, forgiveness and bravery. Kate at the time of the accident was aspiring to compete for Great Britain at the Rio Olympic games in the Para dressage event, a dream she sadly won't realise due to the injuries sustained. Yet even after this loss and the injury to her arm she expressed no ill feeling towards me and an understanding that it was a terrible accident with victims on all sides.
That forgiveness and now friendship has had a profound impact on my life and has inspired me to do whatever I can to make some good from an awful situation. The start of this is the Lincoln Half Marathon.
Kate's bravery also caught the eye of representatives from Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research who asked Kate to be an ambassador for them. As is Kate's selfless attitude she relished the opportunity to help others and she asked me if with her support I would help her raise some money for them.
Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research are a surprisingly small charity, with the very important mission to improve the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury and they appreciate every penny that is raised for their research.
So here I am! I'm not much of a runner but I will do my very best to complete the course in the best time I possibly can.
Thank you for all the support from friends and family I have already had, and a massive thank you to Kate and her family. Can I please ask for your support for a very good cause and to donate whatever you can, as all is appreciated.
Wish me luck.....I'll need it.
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