Bret Crossley joins the Coast to Coast Cycle to thank Back-Up for their support

In September 2006 my life was turned upside-down when I had a serious motorcycle racing accident that I was lucky to survive. My injuries were numerous, the worst of which was a spinal cord injury that has rendered me wheelchair dependant for life. My recovery period was lengthy and complicated and after 10 months in hospital I was back out into a now very different world. I was at a loss and to what to do with myself.

Whilst in hospital I'd been introduced to Back-Up who came to provide wheelchair skills training sessions which were very useful. After my discharge I was contacted by them offering me place on one of their courses designed to inspire, increase confidence and independance. Unfortunately I felt unable to do so as I was still recovering from a badly broken lower leg. In July 2009 however I was able to take part one of their multi-activity courses in Keswick, which included kayaking, sailing, absailing and team games.

I'll stop short of saying it was life changing but it made me realise there was so much I was still capable of doing. Instead of thinking about what I couldn't do anymore I started concentrating on what I could do and might be able to do if I tried! I started wheelchair racing, hand-cycling and wheelchair basketball.

In March 2010 I also went sit-skiing with Back-Up in Colorado which was fantastic!

As Back-Up had done so much for me I wanted to give them something back so I took on the Great North Run last September raising money for them which was a great success.

As well as taking part in the London Marathon on April 17th I'm really looking forward to the challenge of the Coast-to-Coast cycle and hoping to raise more money for Back-Up in the process. I hope you can help by sponsoring us as your donation makes such a massive difference.

Fantastic donation for the C2C from Costco Wholesale

Huge thanks to the team at Costco Wholesale for their donation of a JVC HD Everio Camcorder:

Click the image to see product details.

Back Up Ski Course - Winter Park, Colorado

I've just returned from taking part as a self funded volunteer on a Back-Up ski course in Winter Park, Colorado.

Being part of the ski course at the US's National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) was an awe-inspiring priviledge. I was part of a team supporting 10 people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) to 'get back out' there following injury. Each year, thousands of children and adults with disabilities take to the ski slopes at NSCD learn more about sports - and themselves.

The course was one of many run by Back Up aimed at motivating and enabling people with SCI to feel more positive about their future and achieve personal goals.












 
Please help us in our fundraising target, aiming to raise £10,000 to help Back-Up run such courses again for others:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

Back Up Ski Course - Winter Park 2011

Tomorrow I'm off, as a self funding volunteer, on a Back Up Winter Ski Course to the National Centre for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, Colorado.

As a buddy I'll be helping to supporting 10 people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) to 'get back out' there following injury.

This video was made by the team on the 2008 Back Up Course to Winter Park.

This course is one of many run by Back Up aimed at motivating and enabling people with SCI to feel more positive about their future and achieve personal goals.

Caroline in Winter Park

 

Back Up receives no Government funding and relies on the generosity of its supporters as a vital source of income. Without your generous support, we would find it increasingly difficult to provide vital services such as wheelchair skills, rehabilitative activity courses, mentoring and signposting to people affected by spinal cord injury throughout the United Kingdom.

Back Up rely on income from major events, corporate support, trusts and foundations, community fundraising and individual giving.

• £25 donation enables one spinal cord injured participant to attend a wheelchair skills course in a spinal unit, which improves his or her confidence and independence.

• £60 will contribute towards enabling one mentee to meet up with their mentor to do an activity together, such as bowling, which will help the mentee gain confidence in the future.

• £120 will cover the costs for one participant to undergo a day of activities on the multi-activity taster weekend.

 Can you help?

Thanks to Alton Towers Resort

What a great raffle prize for someone to win, escape to the fabulous Alton Towers resort!

Thanks to Andrew Heath and his team for donating an escape for FOUR to the fantabulous world of the Alton Towers Resort - there's so much going on, the fun never stops! The Theme Park is open for the main season between 26 March - 6 November 2011. You can also splash yourself silly in the wacky Waterpark, be pampered from head to toe in the Spa, and play a round of Extraordinary Golf. There's entertainment for the whole family with Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE and Cloud Cuckoo Land. And explore the unknown and experience the unexpected in search of what lies within… TH13TEEN.