Nicholas Britchford
Lynda and Nick's Page
Fundraising for Royal Papworth Hospital Charity
Story
It's not just because I am crazy.... there are a few reasons Nick is supporting me to do this...
1. Papworth Cardiothoracic Hospital is a truly amazing place. For those who havent heard of it, its the largest dedicated heart and lung specialist hospital in the UK. I benefit from their Lung Defence Service, Cardiac Service and Respiratory and Sleep Support Service. They keep me alive, and as well as can be. But not just that, their care and compassion is difficult to put into words, the care is very personal and they are always willing to go the extra mile. They truly are a special bunch of people and I don't know where we would be without them. The reality is that I would have been in a wooden box some time ago. Hence Nick and I want to give something back, so raising money for their charity is something we can do.
2. My health is getting worse, and my physical limitations are increasing. So many things we loved doing together are now not possible, so I need something positive to focus on and motivate me. So trying to get prepared for this will do that! smile emoticon I will be cycling indoors every day to build up my fitness, but will be completing the ride on an adapted electric bike, as I am physically incapable of cycling outdoors on a normal bike due to my rubbish lungs. If anyone who doesnt know my situation thinks that sounds like cheating, this is why; I have lost 75% of my lung capacity due to severe kyphoscoliosis (curvature of my spine from neck to waist), I am asthmatic, and my small airways are functioning at around 11% of what they should be. I am also ventilated at night due to type two respiratory failure (a machine pushes air into my lungs at night). - To give you some context, I can't blow a balloon up... In addition, I am fed by a tube in my stomach, as eating makes my lung function worse. So it will be a mammoth task even on an electric bike. (See why my doctor might think Im a little mad....) haha.
3. Im a stubborn bag and won't bloody let this beat me, but if you know me, you know this already ;)
4. Exercising is hideously hard and having a goal makes it easier. It will also keep my physio happy and get me brownie points haha.
I am only now asking for sponsorship as I wasn't sure if I would stay well enough to do it.I don't know how things will pan out - so far I have managed the Notts 25 miles as practice, which was horrifically difficult and painful, but Im hoping with a change of meds and some bike adaptations, that things will get easier :)
Please, remember you're not donating to me, you're donating to a very special hospital which sees patients from all over the UK. For many, Papworth is the end of the road in terms of specialist care. We will be remembering two very special people while doing our 100miles, Eileen, and Ron - two good friends who also benefitted from Papworth but are sadly no longer with us.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
1. Papworth Cardiothoracic Hospital is a truly amazing place. For those who havent heard of it, its the largest dedicated heart and lung specialist hospital in the UK. I benefit from their Lung Defence Service, Cardiac Service and Respiratory and Sleep Support Service. They keep me alive, and as well as can be. But not just that, their care and compassion is difficult to put into words, the care is very personal and they are always willing to go the extra mile. They truly are a special bunch of people and I don't know where we would be without them. The reality is that I would have been in a wooden box some time ago. Hence Nick and I want to give something back, so raising money for their charity is something we can do.
2. My health is getting worse, and my physical limitations are increasing. So many things we loved doing together are now not possible, so I need something positive to focus on and motivate me. So trying to get prepared for this will do that! smile emoticon I will be cycling indoors every day to build up my fitness, but will be completing the ride on an adapted electric bike, as I am physically incapable of cycling outdoors on a normal bike due to my rubbish lungs. If anyone who doesnt know my situation thinks that sounds like cheating, this is why; I have lost 75% of my lung capacity due to severe kyphoscoliosis (curvature of my spine from neck to waist), I am asthmatic, and my small airways are functioning at around 11% of what they should be. I am also ventilated at night due to type two respiratory failure (a machine pushes air into my lungs at night). - To give you some context, I can't blow a balloon up... In addition, I am fed by a tube in my stomach, as eating makes my lung function worse. So it will be a mammoth task even on an electric bike. (See why my doctor might think Im a little mad....) haha.
3. Im a stubborn bag and won't bloody let this beat me, but if you know me, you know this already ;)
4. Exercising is hideously hard and having a goal makes it easier. It will also keep my physio happy and get me brownie points haha.
I am only now asking for sponsorship as I wasn't sure if I would stay well enough to do it.
Please, remember you're not donating to me, you're donating to a very special hospital which sees patients from all over the UK. For many, Papworth is the end of the road in terms of specialist care. We will be remembering two very special people while doing our 100miles, Eileen, and Ron - two good friends who also benefitted from Papworth but are sadly no longer with us.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.