Harrison Woodward
David & Harrison's Wakeboard Record Attempt raising funds for OvercomingMS!
Fundraising for Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis
Story
We'll be making the attempt on Monday 29 April 2019 at Thorpe Lakes Cable Park, Chertsey starting at just before 10am. Everyone is welcome to come down to the lake and support on the day..!
The challenge is to ride wakeboards non-stop for as long as possible. The current UK record is 7 hours, 4 minutes and 27 seconds, the World Record is 10 hours and 5 seconds. If all goes according to plan, the British record will be broken around 5pm, and if achieved, the World record will be broken at around 8pm. As OMS would say, do 'whatever it takes'...
David and Harry wanted to challenge themselves as the cause is personal. Ginny, David’s wife and Harry’s mum was diagnosed with MS in 2009, this came out of the blue with no prior symptoms. From a slight weakness in taking a step, to total loss of power and feeling in her right leg within just 10 days.
This was a frightening experience, however Ginny did recover from this episode within a couple of months. Then an unrelated operation in 2013 which went horribly wrong triggered the MS once more, the symptoms are ongoing.
David said, “At this point one looks for information, but also hope, optimism and support. We found 'Overcoming MS' in 2015, they offered this and so much more. People living with MS can face challenges every day and regularly have to push themselves to the limit. So we thought this challenge of endurance was fitting. It's a tribute to the inner strength of everyone living with MS.".
Ginny has found the advice and support available from UK charity OvercomingMS invaluable. The charity advocates a positive lifestyle programme that aims to help people with MS live long, healthy lives.
Monies raised will enable OMS to continue to help people with MS and their families, including providing a free book service.
We've both been riding at Thorpe Lakes for over 15 years and training for this attempt over the winter on the main cable. On the 29th April we’ll ride at the same time, on opposite sides of the cable, all being well for a long time, a really long time...
David & Harry.