My Story

I DID IT!!! I started at 11:30and finished around 17:00! My offical time was 5hrs 45mins. I loved every second of  the marathon. My training paid didvidends and I probably could have been quicker but I wanted to soak up the atmosphre and enjoy the experience. What an unbeliveable day. Thank you all very much for donating and supporting me the amount I ve raised is astonishing, as you can imagine Back Up are very very happy! Same again next year....... !!

UPDATE 26/03/23

Today I hit my long push, 22 miles in the wheelchair which took me just over 5 hours. Thank you all so much for your donations and messages of support, Ive raised over £2000 already but aiming for £3000! Two and a half weeks to go......

On the 23rd December 2018 I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on the M25 motorway. I was taken to St George's in London, where I was diagnosed with two broken femurs and a fracture of my spine at T12. The fracture had damaged part of the spinal chord at T12 S1 and L3, leaving me paralysed from the waist down with an incomplete spinal injury.

Despite my prognosis of permanently paralysis the physiotherapists and sports therapists saw that I may have a chance of standing again. With their guidance and expertise, my ruthless stubborn determination we manged to get my quad muscles and two of my hamstrings in each leg to work. This meant I could stand but not balance or walk.. With further time lots of gym work and encouragement from amazing people, I have devolped a form of walking with aids and use my wheelchair part time.

I struggled coming to terms with my injury both physically and mentally. I spoke with Back up a charity who helps the less abled and spinally injured, I was partnered with a Mentor who had been through a similar incident which helped me realise my life was not over. I attended the Spinal Games where I met some amazing people. The team I was in remained friends and formed a podcast called This is Spinal Crap (https://open.spotify.com/show/7mM99j5TK4Oz36qllyiYNP) We talk openly honestly and with humour about our injuries and the effects they have on or daily lives. I now Mentor for Back up to help others in similar situations.

Now in my fifth year with my injury I wanted to help raise money and heighten awarness for such a superb charity, challenge myself and show what can be achieved with a spinal injury.

Thank you so much for reading my story, supporting me and donating for Back up.

Cheers!

Ian