The Brodie Planning Team are undertaking the Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge on June 21-22, a gruelling 100km route and whilst doing so hopefully raising funds for a small charity called Horatio’s Garden after one of our team underwent spinal surgery and discovered more about this amazing charity.

Horatio’s Garden is named after Horatio Chapple, a schoolboy who wanted to be a doctor

In 2010, Horatio volunteered at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury during his school holidays. Talking with patients he noticed there was a lack of outdoor space for patients with spinal injuries and their loved ones.

Tragically, Horatio’s life was cut short in 2011 at just 17, when his camp was attacked by a polar bear whilst on an expedition to Svalbard. There followed an outpouring of love and goodwill, with donations flooding in for his garden to be created.

Spinal cord injury can happen to anyone, at any time, and the results are life-changing, and devastating. There is currently no cure for spinal injury. On average, patients with spinal cord injuries will spend five months rehabilitating at a specialist centre. Many will be isolated from their families, often far from home and confined to a ward with little or no access to the benefits of the outside world. Horatio’s Garden is changing that and nurtures the wellbeing of people after spinal injury in beautiful, vibrant sanctuaries within the heart of all 11 NHS spinal injury centres.

Please do donate whatever you are able to support this amazing charity and Horatio’s legacy; it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.