Whilst at Sheffield, Dad met someone from the Spinal Injuries Association with a similar level of injury, who became a mentor and a good friend. This connection gave hope and inspiration - and for me, it was such a relief to hear Dad starting to speak more positively about things after their regular chats. Obviously the main patient here is my Dad, but the effect on our family has been huge, and we have had to find our own “new normal”.

The sad fact is that someone becomes paralysed on average every four hours in the UK. The SIA tries to reach as many of those people as possible, providing information, advice and support through their regional mentors, specialist SCI nurses, and counselling services, as well as being advocates, and campaigning for change. 

Without the SIA’s support, I think my Dad’s prospects and outlook on things would be very different, which is why we’re taking part in the Ride London 100 mile bike ride on 29th May 2022. As a super keen cyclist pre-accident, it was an amazing moment to see him FINALLY back on a bike, albeit one that works slightly differently.

The last couple of years have been extraordinarily difficult and worrying for everyone thanks to covid, but if you feel able, please consider sponsoring me to help the SIA expand their work and make even more of a difference to people in the same boat as our family.

Apart from anything, your sponsorship would give me even more incentive to get up those hills, not to mention sitting on a bike saddle for 100 miles!!