Steel Bones helps amputee families overcome the trauma of amputation. Ensuring peer support, and ifnormation on benefits and housing is available to ensure the community unties to help one another overcome crises they face.

We are thrilled to share that we are well into our training sessions for our Canoe Challenge in September, and the progress has been nothing short of inspiring! 🌟

Participants are showing incredible dedication, and we’ve already seen so many powerful stories of growth and transformation. None more so than Scarlett who has shared her own journey:

Hey everyone! I'm Scarlett, and I want to share my story with you. A while ago, I went through something really tough—a very serious illness that led to me having an above-knee amputation. It was scary, and the recovery was hard, but I’ve been fighting through it.

On my first visit to the River Stour, I was still recovering and couldn’t join in with the training. I was really nervous about even trying, but as I started feeling better, I decided to give it a go.

At first, I was super nervous, but now my confidence has grown so much! 💪

Now, I’m determined to complete the trial and even become the top fundraiser!

It would mean the world to me if you could check out my JustGiving page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/canoe-challenge-for-steel-bones and see how I'm doing. Please share this post too! Your support would really help me reach my goal. Thank you!

A word from Gary, who created this event:

Help Me Make a Difference!

Hi everyone, I'm Gary Hawksworth, and I'm taking on an incredible challenge: the Steel Bones Canoe Challenge from Sudbury to the sea! This event is not just a personal test of endurance (fitness has never been one of my strong points) , but also a way to raise vital funds and awareness for a cause that is very close to my heart.

My Journey

In 2014, my life changed forever. A motorcycle accident left me fighting for my life. Thanks to the quick response and care of the air ambulance team, I was airlifted to the hospital and spent several days in intensive care. Unfortunately, the accident resulted in the loss of my right leg, but it didn't take away my desire to live life to the full. It brought it home to me that there are times in our life when we all need the support of others. I have been very lucky with a caring wife as well as family and friends to support me when I needed it as well as an employer who helped me return to work. Not everyone is so lucky and amputation can have huge impacts on some people in addition to the obvious disability.

Why Steel Bones?

Steel Bones is an amazing organization dedicated to helping amputees and their families. They provide crucial support, resources, and a community where individuals can share experiences and rebuild their lives. The work they do is inspiring, and it has been a significant source of strength for me and many others.

Here's some information about Danny, one of our awesome Canoe adventurers...

Hi my name is Danny Smith (SPUD). Some of you will already know my story but for those of you that don't here goes. In may of 2022 i ended up having a below knee amputation (right leg) due to my diabetes which completely turned my world upside down. Whilst i was recovering which i thought was going really well, i recieved the news that the bone was infected and had to have a further amputation to go above the knee (right leg). I recieved so much support from friends and family which helped me a great deal. I continued to try and recover as best as i could over the next year. But unfortunately i had another infection in my left foot, this was another blow to me and resulted in another below knee amputation on my left leg. At first i really didn't think i could carry on and went to a very dark place for a little while, but through the love and support of my amazing family and friends i manged to see light at the end of the tunnel.

I have always been keen to do things to help others as much as i can. I use to help out on as many charity events as i could and have been very keen to get back to it.

Since the first ampitation i always said that i would do something eventually and if my body was able to do so. So i have taken on a canoe challenge which i will be doing on the 7th & 8th of September 2024. It is a 26 mile canoe from Sudbury to the sea, this may not seem alot to some people but i am not the fittest at the moment or mobile. I have only ever done a bit in a inflatable kayak during lockdown. I have decided to do this for two charities that are very close to my heart. I will be splitting this 50/50 between the the two charities.

Firstly YOUNG LIVES vs CANCER a couple of friends of mine Luke and Faye Claxton who do an amazing job raising money and awareness for this amazing charity.

Secondly is STEEL BONES, this is a civilian amputee charity that do an amazing job supporting amputees which i am now involved with myself.

So if you can spare a couple of quid that would be amazing or just share this, thank you for reading my story.