A year ago I was cycling with my friend James “Gino” Murphy when a freak accident left him paralysed below the shoulders. On his behalf I’m raising funds for Spinal Research, the UK’s leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord.

In May I rode from London to Lisbon, 2,400km over 23 days through France, Spain and Portufal. Friends joined me for a few days in southern France but most of the time was riding alone and unsupported. Check out my Strava updates below for details and pics.

I’m still shocked at witnessing how my friend’s life was transformed in an instant. It makes me aware that, aged 64, I should be thankful to be able to embark on an adventure like this. Thanks to everyone who has donated - I'm delighted to have raised more than £5000 for Spinal Research’s important work and my page is still open for donations.

Gino is pictured middle. Read on for more about his experience and spinal cord injuries.

Gino’s Story

Gino’s life-changing accident happened a year ago last February on a ride with me and Mike, another friend from Islington Cycling Club. He was an experienced cyclist and to this day we have no idea what cause the accident. Here is what happened in his own words.

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.

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 person’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 Gino 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.