In 2017 Ed sustained his life changing spinal cord injury while playing football. During his rehabilitation, he and his family came in contact with Back Up who helped them come to terms with the injury and gave them the support they needed at this very difficult time. Since returning home, Ed has used the mentor service frequently to discuss topics like getting back to work and volunteering, travelling with spinal injury, changes to his care and getting into sports. They have been key in supporting all of these challenges that he and other people with spinal cord injuries face.

Annelore worked in the National Spinal Injury Unit for three years when she decided to take part in the #RideforDanny, #Nolimits London to Paris Ride in 2018.  This Epic 500 + km journey was a once in a life time experience and ever since #Nolimits and Back Up have been very close to her heart. Most recently, Back Up started playing an even bigger role in her life when they provided peer support and mentoring. During the recent lockdown Back Up have implemented new services which have been extremely helpful to make some positive changes in our lives and encourage us to try new things and start looking forward to new adventures and challenges. 

Back Up has supported us and others, in many ways over the last years. We have benefited from their services so much and therefore we are really keen to raise money for them during this year’s Virtual #RideforDanny. That’s why we decided to get our (hand)bikes out again! Annelore will be completing (hopefully!) a 50 km bike ride in the hills around Bath. Ed will be cycling an hour a day for six days on his table top hand bike! We will be completing this challenge during the week of 5^thof September which is World Spinal Cord Injury Day. 

#NoLimits and #RideforDanny were born In 2012, when Back Up trustee Danny Turnbull and a team of hand cyclists teamed up with HotChillee and cycled from London to Paris. Sadly, Danny lost his battle with cancer in 2017, and since then we have had the annual #NoLimits ride to raise funds for Back Up in his memory.

We would be grateful if you can help support Back Up and give anything that you can to this amazing cause! 

Thanks Annelore and Ed!