Story
Updated on Nov 7th 2012 at 6:30 PM from the JustGiving API
Doing extraordinary, ridiculous things for charity could well be my calling! Because this feeling I get from your kind words is unbelievable! I love it and need it a bit too. Thank you all so so so much
Updated on Oct 20th 2012 at 7:36 PM from the JustGiving API
Doing so well... Just tantalisingly close to my £2000 target...
Updated on Sep 17th 2012 at 5:02 PM from the JustGiving API
Thank you all so much, not just for giving what you can but also to receive such lovely message too, just hugely motivational and rewarding
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
This coming September / October, after further surgery in the months ahead, I am planning to cycle on a recumbent trike, 200+ miles on a coast to coast ride to raise money for The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.
The Wasdale MRT as you may know, saved my life last year after a #* metre fall which broke most of the bones on the right hand side of my body and caused massive concussion, which I'm still recovering from even now.
The accident has left me unable to walk without considerable pain, and over a year on I still have days where I'm simply in too much pain to even stand or attempt to walk. Every step I take feels like a knitting needle being stabbed into my ankle, and even with pain killers, I find I'm still in constant pain most of the time.
This has obviously turned my entire life upside down, and as many of you know, stopped me from doing all of the things I've enjoyed and been passionate about in my life, especially my love for climbing. Since I can no longer do the work I loved, I have also been looking at alternative ways of making a living.
For the past year, I've been unable to work due to the pain and inability to use most of my right hand side. I'm still unable to hold more than a cup of tea in my right hand because of the damage to the nerves and shattered elbow (which will be operated on to remove the pins next week).
I'm still learning to trust my mind and my memory again, and I'm still having to remind myself and others that I'm still in recovery, and according to the doctors, still have concussion, due to considerable Brain Shake.
I'm also reminded constantly of how fragile our lives are and how easily the world we create can be shattered by an accident or unexpected event, no matter how carefully we plan or how many precautions we take.
I'm fortunate - I survived and I'm grateful every single day for being rescued and put back together by the amazing team of surgeons and specialists, and to my family and friends who have helped me recover over the past year.
Most of all, I feel moved to help the people who helped rescued me and save my life - the Wasdale MRT. Without them, I simply wouldn't be here to tell my story, and I know many other people wouldn't be here either to tell theirs either.
The 200 mile ride will start from RAF Boulmer (the RAF base which the helicopter that saved my life came from, on the east coast), and ending in Wasdale on the west coast.
This will be a massive challenge for me, which I am utterly determined to complete, but I really need your love and support to fulfill this quest of mine, so that I can in turn help the Mountain Rescue team in their fantastic work.
I would love to call on people I believe can offer unique guidance, so if you can offer an ear to listen and some thoughts to guide me, I'd be very grateful for your time!
I will be setting up a Just Giving page shortly, a Facebook Page and possibly I'll start Tweeting on Twitter.
I'd be grateful for any support you can give, even if it's simply spreading the word by sharing , liking and tweeting. Practical, financial and emotional support will also of course be gladly accepted!
Please get in touch if you think you can help out in any way - and thank you so much for reading to the end!
I'd love to hear your comments, thoughts and feedback - so please feel free to leave some.
I'll keep you posted - Watch This Space!!
Joe
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.