Photo: Gino on a Twinning event in Italy between Islington Cycling Club and La Centrinarolese (I Pansèr) of Fano. As an Italian speaker he was invaluable helping with the chat between riders.

Last year our dear friend Gino had a cycling accident which left him paralysed from the chest down. His friends at Islington Cycling Club (ICC) proposed to raise money for him but typical of Gino he asked us to raise the money for others via Spinal Research.

That's why four ICC members (Chris, Colin, Dave & Mike) and two Italian friends (Lorenzo & Rachel) are attempting to complete the London - Edinburgh - London cycling Audax. The 1,530 km / 956 miles have to be cycled within the 128 hour limit. It's a tough event. When it was last run 3 years ago about 40% of riders didn't make it in the time allowed. To learn more about the challenge see: https://londonedinburghlondon.com

Check out photos of all the ICC fund raising events in 2025: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMWErXwCrJKvAlhVYgtufvog9CAdZ-fOf6F7-RHynSNtgmSCVuWqqskigOKqcv7gg?key=bEladG9BMWVvMDdoQ1FvdG5qS0FjUWxQZkFTM3pB

Gino's story in his own words

My life-changing accident happened a year ago last February on a ride with a couple of cycling club friends. We were on a long descent at Buckhurst Hill when a car pulled in between us. My very last thought was that I needed to catch up with the other two once the car had pulled away.

My next memory was in hospital, being told that I had spinal cord and head injuries, and my wife and I giving consent for my operation. I had this feeling I was in survival mode hanging onto life with all the energy I could gather. What caused my accident is still a mystery. I later found out that I went over and hit the curb at speed. Fortunately, an ambulance was soon on the scene and I was swiftly transported to the Royal London by air ambulance.

I had surgery to install a titanium support in my neck but was left paralysed below the shoulders and spent two weeks in intensive care and a high dependency unit. After nine weeks at the Royal London I was transferred to the London spinal cord injury centre at Stanmore where I received extensive rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, assistive Technologies, and speech and language therapy.

Since September 2024, I’ve been living back in my family home with round the clock support from a team of eight carers. It’s been great to get together with friends in the pub and I’ve been taking part in spinal injury trials. I’m determined to lead my best life.

Gino

Why we are fundraising for Spinal Research?

Cycling is one of the sports associated with the risk of spinal injuries and, while accidents are rare, the consequences can be severe. Islington Cycling Club has chosen Spinal Research as our official charity for 2025 in Gino's name. Spinal Research is the UK’s leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Every two hours someone in the UK becomes paralysed as a result of a spinal cord injury. They can be caused by an accident, an illness or a health condition. They affect not just the people’s mobility and sensation but also the functioning of their bladder, bowels, skin, breathing and sexual function.

• Cycling accounts for 8% of sports-related spinal injuries. While James was in hospital at Stanmore four of 30 beds were occupied by people who had had accidents while cycling.

• Spinal Research is the UK’s leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord. It works towards a world where paralysis can be cured, with the aim of restoring hope, independence, and quality of life to people living with a spinal cord injury.

• It sets out to fund the most innovative and promising research globally, empowering the next generation of Spinal Research scientists, and pushing the boundaries of science to find a cure. Function-restoring treatments are already in human trials, offering real hope that curing paralysis could become the medical breakthrough of the 21st century.

• The science is here and progressing rapidly, but funding is needed to accelerate this groundbreaking research for the millions affected in the UK and across the globe.

At Spinal Research our vision is to create a world where paralysis can be cured, no matter when the injury occurred or where in the world.

Together, we can cure paralysis.

Spinal Research UK

If you’re interested in raising funds yourself, please contact us at friendsofgino@proton.me or message us via this Just Giving page.