On March 3rd 2013, while taking part in his local Eden Valley sportive, Michael Bonney fell off his bike and suffered a life changing injury. He was attended by doctors at the scene of the accident and flown by air ambulance to a specialist unit where he was diagnosed with a severed spinal cord at the C3 vertebrae. The result is that Michael is now tetraplegic - paralysed from the neck down. To all who know Michael personally or professionally, the news of his accident was devastating.

The anticipated costs to care for Michael is going to be in the region of £100,000 a year, for the rest of his life.

Michael is making amazing progress and his positive attitude to life is continuing to inspire all who come into contact with him. I wrote to him recently to inform him of my Channel Swim Relay fund raising plan and this is part of his reply:

" I'd like to get the off-road wheelchair and start getting back out on the fells again. The wheelchair I want is this one http://www.moltenrock.co.uk/?page_id=543 , it's about £14 K quite a lot of fundraising will be needed so any help you can give would be useful. I thought mountain bikes were expensive until I got into off-road wheelchairs "

So, as you can see, Michael is keen to keep as active as technology will allow him.  

In September this year I will be part of a relay team of 6 swimming the English Channel and I am taking this opportunity to raise funds for Michael. Your contributions will be so gratefully recieved and will enable Michael to contuinue to live life to the full.

Thank you in anticipation of your support for this worthy cause.

You can keep up to date with Michael's progress via his Facebook page.
TAGS:orange , michael bonney