Jenny Gartland

As we approach Christmas – a time for giving and thinking of others – we at Road Racing Ireland would like to bring to your attention the sad plight of Jenny Gartland, wife of Irish Road Race Champion, Paul. Jenny, who has been suffering from a rare infection since she was seven years old, had to have her lower leg amputated earlier this year in an emergency operation which had to be carried out in a private clinic as her health could no longer wait for the public waiting list. It was a successful operation but, as only one can imagine, a great personal loss to Jenny. Her next quest has set her back even more as she has been told by the Southern Ireland Health Board, as she had her operation done privately, they are not responsible for any further treatment, hence they have refused to supply her with an artificial leg.

Road Racing Ireland are in constant contact with Jenny and helping her with organising the treatment and fitting at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

Jenny says, “I am devastated as this wasn’t explained to me at the time. I was informed that I had to have the operation carried out immediately or there could have been serious repercussions to my life. Nobody explained the consequences by going private that our health board would turn their back on me.”

We have just found out, that after trying to fight her case almost a year on, Jenny is still hobbling around without an artificial leg and in great pain. To purchase a basic leg she needs to find almost £20,000 for a stump cup and artificial leg. Being such a proud girl Jenny refused to share her dilemma and asked her mother if she could take out a personal loan which she would later pay back.

Rather than putting her family through all this burden and stress we are calling on all of your world renowned generosity to help Jenny literally to get back on her feet. If she doesn’t get her artificial leg soon her remaining stump could shrink even more without the necessary exercise.

Jenny is a proud lady and wants to stand literally on her own feet but I am sure we can all help her achieve her heartfelt wish to ‘Stand Up’ proudly once more and cheer her husband from behind the road racing hedges.



The money raised will ensure the purchase and fitting of the prosthetic leg at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and facilitate the additional costs for the rehabilitation which will mean Jenny will have to spend weeks nearby for her daily treatment ahead of the new prosthetic leg being fitted.

Mark Stokes, acting in behalf of Road Racing Ireland, will be withdrawing the funds to pay the necessary costs as they occur for Jenny Gartland's treatment.