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Two former paraplegic spinal cord injured (SCI) patients of the Defence Medical and Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Stanford Hall and support team are setting out to complete a Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle ride using only arm power in their handcycles to raise funds for the DMRC Benevolent Fund. The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Benevolent Fund is a volunteer-run charity that provides funding to support holistic, occupational and social integration opportunities for serving military patients at DMRC Stanford Hall, that are not provided by public funding.

The challenge is to complete the C2C ride in 3 days covering total of 125 miles from Whitehaven to Hartlepool. The route will go through towns of Keswick, Penrith, Alston, Crook and into Hartlepool going over the lake district and Pennines. This will be a very hard and arduous challenge as there is a total of 8000 feet of hill climbing to be completed. It is hoped that this challenge will raise over £2000 for the benevolent fund.

Ian’s Story

Ian served over 18 years in the Army before his injury in Oct 16 occurred which has left him wheelchair bound for life. Still an active man and not one to give up as completed triathlons and half marathons to challenge himself and raise awareness of the important work the DMRC Benevolent fund does. 

“The DMRC Benevolent fund does vital work in helping seriously injured service personnel keep their morale high with social outings and other things whist going through life changing injuries often hundreds of miles from their families and loved ones. My recovery journey would have been so much harder without the support of this amazing charity. Im going to complete this challenge ive set myself so I can raise money put back into charity to ensure the next service personnel who become injured get the support I had.”

Tom’s Story

Tom served over 7 years in the army before his injury in Aug 20. Tom was a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) and has continued with pushing his physical limits doing adapted cross fit and weightlifting. Like Ian Tom wants make sure that all service personnel who attend DMRC get the support of the benevolent fund.