Seven years ago and seven weeks before my wedding day, I met with friends for a normal autumn day's mountainboarding. Unfortunately, the way the day ended was far from normal. I made one mistake and forgot what the exit of my run looked like. Which resulted in sudden stop when I hit a tree, seriously breaking my leg in the process.

Despite some very skilled first aiders in the group it was evident I couldn’t be moved without some professional help (thank you Roger for amongst other things sitting and keeping my leg stable till it could be splinted). Calls to the emergency services were made and a short time later I was recovered from the woods in a 4x4 ambulance before being transferred into a road ambulance and on my way to Stoke Mandeville Hospital (one of the hospitals supported by Bucks Hospitals Charity).

What followed was a 4 hour operation to have my leg pinned back together, a few days in hospital and then weeks of rehab to get my leg working as good as new. Something I am truly grateful for and to say thank you is the reason why I am raising money for the Buck Hospital charity.

Without the excellent work of all the staff and the pioneering rehabilitation methods at Stoke Mandeville Hospital I would not have made such a rapid recovery (given the severity of the break) with no long term effects. It is for these reasons why I would like to say thank you by raising money while I am paddling on the River Wye.