Welcome to the team page for the Dales Way Trail Challenge. This page acts as a means to aggregate my four individual pages for the following charities he will raise money and awareness for: Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People, Mind - The Mental Health Charity, Survival - helping tribal peoples, and Combat Stress for traumatised veterans.
Philip plans an extraordinary challenge to run the Dales Way long distance trail from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria, a distance of over 80 miles / 130 km, in three days. Commencing on the 13th September 2012 and arriving at the finish on 15th September 2012.
Philip lost his right leg below the knee in a near fatal motorcycle accident on Friday 13th September 2002. He sustained multiple injuries to his legs, arms, and head. He underwent nine major operations to save his life and rebuild his fractured body. A final operation in early 2010 to remove metal screws and a plate from his right femur has enabled him to run again after almost nine years of pain and severe discomfort. He loved to run trails before his accident and through a slow inexorable process he has renewed his love of the outdoors being out on the land using his skills and resilience to look after himself. Running within the landscape has proved a beneficial therapy both physically and emotionally, he uses his time out on the trails to remember and appreciate all who supported him through some very difficult times.
Philip has his limbs prescribed from NHS Leeds Prosthetic and Orthotic Service and has the great privilege to run on a blade prosthetic limb called the Flex-Run produced by the global prosthetics company Ossur. The Flex-Run blade prosthesis Philip will use for his run over the three days is designed more for the track and road. He will have to contend with the varing terrain of loose rocks, boulders, tree roots, mud and boggy ground, along with steep ascents and descents. He risks serious injury if he should trip or slip on the treacherous ground.
Philip has used creative writing to help express his thoughts and feelings since before the accident. It became an important medium of reflection to help him grasp the enormity of what happened to him and ameliorate the transition from an able bodied life to one of impairment and disability. He intends to write a journal and poetry as he makes his journey over the land to record and express his feelings at this incredible attempt.
This challenge to run the Dales Way long distance trail will prove an enormous undertaking physically, emotionally and logistically. Philip talks about widening his horizons when he speaks and presents. He speaks about the need to not impose barriers on himself and to question his own perceived limits. He demonstrates the key motivators of firstly, taking ownership for his personal conduct, secondly, his willingness to engage in activities and projects, even if they challenge his capabilities, and thirdly, he appreciates the support of other people willing to engage with him in his endeavours.
Philip says, 'The most important things to me in life all reside in my relationships, I talk about my wealth being vested in people not things. I say thank you on a daily basis to the people who worked to save my life. This includes all the professionals involved in my care, my family, friends, and the thousand kindnesses shown to me by strangers, as well as the inspiration, banter and understanding of fellow patients.'
Any amount you can donate will go to a good cause and Philip says, 'thank you' in anticipation of your support.
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