Due to the incredible response and generous donations to Will's cause, we've decided to set our sights even higher and aim for a very ambitious target! Our plans are to use this page as an ongoing fundraising tool for Will, not just focussed on this cycle challenge, but with various other people taking on other challenges in future to add to this pool of funding that will definitely make a huge difference to Will's life! Please get in touch (with Ellen, Joe or Jordan) if there's something you're thinking of doing that we could add, to help raise even more funds for this extremely worthy cause :)

In April 2022, our friend Will suffered a spinal cord injury and stroke, affecting his body's strength and control. He spent months on a ventilator in intensive care in London, unable to speak, eat or drink normally or get out of bed, with his Mum moving to London to be by his side. Eventually, Will was able to leave intensive care behind and started some basic rehab with the hospital physios, helping him to practise moving his arms, hands and feet. In March 2023 he moved to a specialist rehab centre closer to home, where he has already made great progress. He has practised standing with physios using specialist equipment, participated in hydrotherapy and enjoyed using a wheelchair to get outdoors with friends when they visit. Will is really motivated to improve as much as he possibly can, so would love to continue participating in this sort of rehab after leaving the rehab centre.

Thank you so much for the continued support. With our newly ambitious target, we're hoping we can provide some really exciting and life-changing equipment and services, depending on what is deemed suitable when Will's finite NHS rehab funding comes to an end and he returns home. This may include, for example, continued specialist care and physio input, therapy and equipment to help regain independence in daily life, an adaptive exercise bike, specialist sports equipment, an adaptive home gym, and maybe even cutting-edge technology to potentially help Will re-learn to walk.

With the hopes to raise money to contribute towards equipment and services to help Will in his recovery, we have taken up the challenge to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End, the full length of Britain, in June 2023. The route is approximately 1800km and we are planning on a mix of camping and staying with friends and family along the way. We will be starting our journey at the northern most point of mainland Scotland, John O'Groats, making our way down through the mountainous Highlands, winding our way past numerous Lochs, into England, where we will skirt the Lake District, pass through the Peak District, and down the Welsh border into Bristol. The last stretch of the journey will see us tackling the notorious hills of Devon and Cornwall, where we will finish up at the southernly most point of Britain, Lands End.

Will at Lands End a few years ago, with friends:

We are asking for donations, however big or small, to contribute towards equipment and/or services to help Will during his rehab. Because the trajectory of Will's rehab is currently unclear, we're not sure yet exactly what will be most helpful for him when he returns home. Although Will's life will be very different to before the accident, we hope to be able to help him to return to daily life in the best way possible, including regaining his independence, socialising with friends and gradually returning to adapted variations of sports he has always enjoyed, such as biking, skiing and surfing! Every penny will count towards helping Will achieve the best quality of life possible.

We would also love to hear from you if you think you might be able to help by providing a bed (or floor!) for us during our cycle. We haven't finalised our exact route yet, but if you think you might be able to help, please get in touch!

Thanks so much in advance for any support you can give! We know Will will really appreciate it :)