10 years ago, this little lad suffered a shock brain haemorrhage out of the blue, resulting in paralysis of the whole left side of his body from severe brain damage, primarily of the motor cortex. He was told by a consultant just weeks after major brain surgery and being in an induced coma, to manage his expectations, and that he’d likely be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Two weeks later he limped down the corridor to that consultants office on crutches. A year later, he was playing football. Ten years later (to the day), I’m embarking on a 2,650 mile self-supported trek, from Mexico to Canada, across deserts, forests and mountain summits.

If you don’t know me, Hi, I’m Will. I’m a 23yo outdoor enthusiast who loves a challenge… and doesn’t seem to do things in moderation. I’m not going to pretend that I’m attempting the Pacific Crest Trail just to raise money for charity, I have a number of other reasons too, but it seems silly not to take the opportunity to raise some money to support children facing daunting odds following brain injury similar to mine. In the long term, this adventure aims to kickstart a campaign to rewrite the template for neuro-rehab in children, proving what is possible after acquired brain injury and starting conversations with charities and children’s hospitals, starting in the midlands.

That’s a little way off, so for now, please consider contributing anything you can to help children going through hell and back in their recovery from brain injury, while I take 7 million steps, summit 58 mountains and take very few showers while I hike from Mexico to Canada. And don’t take me for some miracle, I still battle against my body on a daily basis with residual brain damage.

Proceeds are for the Child Brain Injury Trust. Read more about them here:

https://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/about/

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this on social media or telling a few mates.

Any companies are welcome to be charity sponsors or equipment sponsors, do get in touch, and we can discuss a plan for collaborating.