I developed pneumonia in April 2021, aged 67 during Covid lockdown. I had a birth heart defect, some 3 weeks later it turned into a severe heart infection leading to a cardiothoracic stroke. I found myself having gone from being very fit and well to losing my speech, partial loss of hearing and a severely impaired right arm and leg with only 35% sensory perception. 

Nearly seven weeks later after my heart infection was treated, I had open heart surgery to install a metallic mitral valve. I required a second operation within 24 hours due to complications. The progress gained during the previous seven weeks at East Surrey Hospital was largely undone due to another stroke and traumas. 

Three weeks later I was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Foundation Centre for Neuro Rehabilitation and Complex Neurological Care, which gave me a new lease of life. I arrived wheelchair-bound (cried for the first four hours in joy) and left able to walk and talk without trauma-induced fears. My six weeks were tumultuous in that I and many others achieved so much more than we ever thought possible, including physiotherapy, occupational and trauma therapies that helped me overcome numerous physical and mental disabilities.

They gave me back my life with hopes and plans for the future. I will never forget their expertise, support and belief in what is possible, which is why I kindly ask you to donate to my fundraising page and help me raise money for QEF, a disability based charity with more than 85 years experience of developing innovative services which support almost 10,000 disabled people per year.

Between 8th and 30th June 2024, aged 70, I will be cycling 2,400 km off-road from Redhill, along the River Thames to Bristol and then from Land’s End to John O’Groats, an average of approximately 120 km per day.

Many thanks if you can support me.

Geoff

For more information on the Queen Elizabeth Foundation you can follow this link: