Corporal Robert Bugden is a serving Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Air Force. On 21 Jan 16 he suffered severe spinal injuries in a parachuting accident.

Rob is currently undergoing intense rehabilitation and therapy. Whilst he has been making an incredible recovery, his life will be changed as a result of his injuries; he will need long term care and support.

Throughout the month of March teams of Physical Training Instructors from across the Royal Air Force will complete the arduous challenge of  a 210.116km row. (The distance signifies the date of Rob's accident). Once the rower starts it cannot stop until the distance has been achieved.

The Barbara Bus Foundation has been paramount over the last 12 months in supporting Rob’s recovery. They have provided transport on numerous occasions to allow Rob to leave the care of the hospital and experience days out, events and mini breaks to name a few. To hire transport large enough for Rob costs over £100per day and they let us utilise their bus for free with any restrictions.

Without their continued support we wouldn’t be able to provide Rob with these great experiences that he loved prior to the life changing accident.

All funds raised will go towards The Barbara Bus Foundation. The ultimate aim is to raise £32000 over a number of events.

The Barbara Bus Fund                                                           The Barbara Bus Fund has been paramount in supporting Rob’s recovery by providing wheelchair accessible vehicles from their Stoke Mandeville and Stanmore branches. These vehicles cost upwards of £450 per week from a hire company and the Barbara Bus Fund provides them for those in need and only asks for affordable donations. The Barbara Bus Fund was started in 1968 by Barbara Werndly who herself was an inpatient at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

The Fund is a registered charity with a fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles, set up to enable passengers to travel without needing to transfer. The vehicles can accommodate from one to three wheelchairs in comfort along with several able-bodied passengers, and are equipped with appropriate wheelchair restraint. For more information please visit www.barbarabus.com.

The Head Office based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is run by three part-time office staff and 25+ volunteer drivers. There is always the need for more volunteer drivers and if you have one day a month, one week in the summer or one day a year to offer, they will be very glad to hear from you. The driver registration process is straightforward but you will need to arrange to visit the Stanmore Head Office.