Almost 19 years to the day, whilst together on a holiday in Greece, one of my best friends suffered a horrific accident leaving him with one of the most severe forms of paralysis. The accident happened when boat diving in Zante. Unfortunately, the company we used had not completed a risk assessment and the area where we were encouraged to dive into was not deep enough. John hit his head on a rock and shattered his C5 and C6 vertebrae.

Although John is a tetraplegic, he does not let this get in the way of his accomplishments. Since his accident he has completed his FA coaching badge in football, obtained MA and BA degrees in photography , featured in the Guinness Book of Records for being one of a team of wheelchair users who pulled the heaviest aircraft along a runway, had his poetry published, and works 4 days a week as the CEO of an Arts Charity. John truly is my inspiration!

Having felt pretty helpless over the years I have often taken part in charitable events in order raise money for those who have had a significant effect on his rehabilitation. This year I have decided to join him on a cycle from Stratford to Amsterdam in an effort to raise money for Regain. The total cycle will be 120 miles (70 miles on Day 1 and 50 miles on Day 2). John will be handcycling this. The event is scheduled 30^th September 2022.

Amongst many other charities who helped John, Regain were one of the ones that really stood out. In 2014 they provided John with a clip-on hand-cycle and new wheelchair to the tune of almost £7000, gave him £5000 towards his tuition fees in 2011, assisted with the funding of power assisted wheels in 2003/2004, provided support staff for a 400km charity cycle which he did in South Africa, and has set up biweekly online social meetings for new and existing tetraplegics. Without the support of Regain John may not have achieved what he has done so far.

I appreciate it’s not a great time to be asking for money, but this is a charity close to my heart and any donations would be helpful.

To find out more about what Regain do please visit the following link  https://regainsportscharity.com/