Team Gino - Fundraising for Spinal Research

Raising money for Spinal Research

Story

Islington Cycling Club is raising money for research into repairing spinal injuries.

On behalf of our friend Gino we are fundraising for a world where paralysis can be cured.

Why we are fundraising for Spinal Research

James 'Gino' Murphy, an Islington Cycling Club member since 2018, had a freak cycling accident a year ago which left him paralysed below the shoulders. Cycling is one of the sports associated with the risk of spinal injuries and, while accidents are rare, the consequences can be severe. So we’ve chosen as our club charity for 2025, Spinal Research, the UK’s leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord. Please click on the 'Read story' link below to hear Gino's story in his own words.

Our first fundraising initiative is our annual “fish & chips” club ride to Brighton on Sunday April 27th and we invite everyone taking part to contribute what they can afford. Club members are taking on some big challenges to raise funds for the charity..

• David Mason is riding from London to Lisbon

• Eva Jungmann is running the Valencia half marathon

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

Gino’s Story

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 determination 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 the support and love from my wife and children and… the support 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 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.

Spinal Research UK

Every two hours, someone in the UK will become paralysed. Globally, it is estimated that 15.4 million people are living with paralysis. It can happen to anyone at any time, changing lives instantly.

When the spinal cord is injured it affects far more than the ability to walk. Paralysis impacts movement, sensation, continence, breathing, and much more.

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.