In September I am cycling solo from Lands End to John O’Groats. I am using this challenge to raise money for an organisation that is very important to me called Changing Faces. Read my story below to understand why it matters so much. 

Here’s the link to support my fundraising. Can you share this with others?www.justgiving.com/fundraising/seria-hogg?

If you follow the JustGiving Updates at the bottom of my page you can follow my blog of the ride.

11 years ago I had a terrible accident when I was cycling home from work. I was hit by a disqualified driver. He cut across me and I crashed into his rear window. He didn’t stop, continued to drive and I eventually fell out onto the road. While  this was happening my husband was waiting at a restaurant for me. When I didn’t arrive he called and a paramedic answered my phone and told him to come to the hospital. 

I had deep lacerations to my face, my cheekbone had collapsed, I had a break above the cheekbone, I lost 4 teeth and I had damage to my tongue. I had surgery a few days later and was advised to look in the mirror before leaving hospital. I was apprehensive as everyone looked shocked when they visited me and my 19 year old son burst into tears when he saw me. I was horrified by what I saw - my face was twice the size, the stitches, the blood. I sobbed as I couldn’t bear to look at myself. I tried to be strong despite feeling like my life was over. Children were visibly scared of me and adults would stare. It was a terrible time  

I wasn’t offered any counselling by the NHS or told of organisations who could help me. A year went by,I was attending appointments, going to work - all the while I was unravelling inside. It culminated in me having a breakdown. My husband insisting we go private for counselling.      

I received 3 operations to reconstruct the damage to my face. Everything I went through made me realise how precious life was. I decided I wouldn’t have any more surgery and would live with what I had and make the most of it. I still have no feeling in the left side of my face - but it is my normal. 

Throughout I have continued cycling. I slowly regained my confidence. I decided the driver had already impacted my life and I wasn’t going to let him take my love for cycling away. The ten year anniversary of the accident was 2019 and I wanted to mark it by cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats. The timing wasn’t right for me then but now,September 2020, I will do it. 

Most of all, I want to raise funds for Changing Faces. You can read about their work herewww.changingfaces.org.uk/  They are an amazing organisation that provide lots of different support but the one I needed most was counselling. I want to support their work because of my own experience living with a visible difference.

You can support my ride and contribute to my fundraising effort by contributing through the JustGiving page here. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/seria-hogg?

From 18 September In the Updates section at the bottom of the JustGiving page you will be able to follow my progress as I cycle across England and Scotland. 

I.m feeling excited to start

Thank you for your support Seria