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.

Thanks to Motorbase Performance - A day out at British Touring Cars & Porsche Carrera Cup GB Race at Rockingham,18th September

Thanks to Zach Rigby for donating a day out for two at the Rockingham Circuit on 18th September at the British Touring Cars & Porsche Carrera Cup GB Race. Enjoy a day at Rockingham with Motorbased Performance & Airwaves Racing, the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup champions.

The luck winner will be given a pit tour, able to watch the race from the pit, meet the drivers and mechanics, be on the grid for the start and enjoy a sit down hospitality luncheon. This is a great chance to get up close and personal to motorsport.

The winners will also get to see the 2011 Motorbase Performance Team breaking new ground by running Ford Focuses in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
 

For more information on the 2010 Champions as the defend their title in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB click here:
http://www.motorbaseperformance.co.uk/

How Back-Up makes a difference for me, by C2C cyclist Dan Edwards

Hey Everyone,

My name is Dan and I'll be taking part in a 140 mile coast to coast cycle (C2C), for an amazing charity called Back-Up (BU), and they need our help! I am very passionate about this charity as they have helped, and still are helping me come to terms with my injury. 

In June 2009 my life was turned upside down after a motorbike accident which left me paralyzed from the ribs down, I was only 21 years old. After this I spent a long time on bed rest in hospital and as you can imagine, that gave me a lot of time to think. To think about what the future held for me and getting my head round my new life in a wheelchair.

While in hospital I was introduced to a mentor from BU by my family after they attended a relatives day. Since then BU have followed me, answered my questions and introduced me to the wider network of BU, where I've met some fantastic and inspiring people. BU have helped me personally by inviting me to confidence building workshops, multi activity courses, wheelchair skills sessions and just by being on the other end of the phone when I needed them, whether it be holiday advice or setting up my wheelchair etc.

Last year I went on a multi activity course in Keswick, Cumbria. It was by far the best week I've ever had! The people I met on the course were amazing and it is definitely a memory that will last a life time.... 

Following this I travelled to Egypt with Barry West (who works for BU) and a few others, I even completed my PADI Open Water scuba diving course. Something I never thought would be possible.

Thanks to BU I now know I can achieve anything despite my disability and believe the sky is no limit!!

Back-Up are not government funded and need our kind donations to continue changing the lives of spinally injured people like myself!

I'm looking forward to riding the Coast to Coast in May with my girlfriend Sarah Hunter along with friends James Dixon, Matt Boyce and Fran Hillier.

All donations are greatly appreciated - large or small, they all add up!! :-)

Dan

To donate online visit:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

News - Local News: Towcester and the villages in NN12 (NN12)

News - Local News: Towcester and the villages in NN12 (NN12)

C2C Places2Stay promote the C2C Cycle Ride for Back-Up

http://www.c2cplaces2stay.co.uk/

C2C Places2Stay is the ultimate guide for those undertaking the challenge of the Coast to Coast cycle route. It provides detailed information on accommodation, pubs, restaurants, shops and useful advice on how to make your C2C crossing easier to plan and enjoy.

Please mention C2C Places2Stay when using any of the businesses listed on the site.

They've even given us an ad on their homepage:

Rochale team makes the local press supporting Back-Up

Back-Up Ski Course - Video from Winter Park 2008

Here's an example of the courses Back-Up provide



For more information have a look at the courses:
http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/prog_winter_park.html

Laura's story - Thanks to Back-Up

Coast to Coast Cycle Ride Club affiliated with CTC - Insurance details

The Coast to Coast Cycle Ride club is now affiliated with the CTC.

This affiliation gives us 12 months third party cycling & public liability insurance both on the event and whilst out on your bicycle for the next 12 months.  

Protects the “Insured” against claims made for injury, loss or damage resulting from alleged negligence of the “Insured”. 

Affiliate Club Membership 

Third Party Cover for each member of the club 

Master insurance policy document - Public and products liability 

Event application form - download

Click here to download

Training Required - 98 days to go!

Donation of van hire from Simple Truck and Van Hire Limited

Big thanks to all at Simple Truck and Van Hire Ltd. for donating the hire of a van for the event.

1 Chicheley St, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 9AP

Telephone. 01908 217070

Experienced handcyclist joins Coast to Coast Cycle Ride

Delighted to have Andrew Chamings on our event as an experienced handcyclist. Andy has competed the longer W2W (Whitby to Walney) Coast to Coast Route. If anyone would like to talk to Andy he's happy to share his experiences - 01904 653722

 

Gavin Mckew confirms acoustic set at the C2C finish party

  

Bio:
Burning one of the few torches in the musical darkness of the West Cumbrian coast, singer songwriter Gavin McKew was justifiably named TGM's 2008 “Best Solo Act in Cumbria & SW Scotland”.

With gigs in every corner of his home county he has built up a local fanbase that would be the envy of any successful city dwelling band. Armed only with his acoustic guitar, Gavin has also been impressing audiences and industry types alike with high energy performances at venues such as Manchester's Academy and the Zanzibar in Liverpool aswell as slots at festivals such as CockRock and B-Fest.

http://www.myspace.com/gavmckew

Thanks to The Rum Story

Many thanks to The Rum Story for the donation of a family ticket to this Whitehaven visitor attraction. The Rum Story is just a few minutes walk from the C2C start/finish.

The Rum Story - the Dark Spirit of Whitehaven, is set in the original shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family business, in the Georgian town of Whitehaven. Here you can find out about the story of the UK rum trade, which originally centered on the port of Whitehaven. 

The journey starts in the Caribbean rainforest and graphically depicts the story of rum, bringing to life the slave trade, American prohibition, rum in the Royal Navy, rum in history, the process of rum making and more. Facing on to Lowther Street is an authentic Georgian Wine Merchant's shop front, complete with many of the original fittings and items of interest from the Jefferson's business. You can also view the original clerks office, which has been sensitively and accurately restored, with its high desks and stools, old safe and hand-written records. 

Hand Bike Promo Video

Handbike Scotland Aviemore from Handbike Scotland on Vimeo.

Detailed route map & GPS waypoints

Here's a link to the detail of the route.

Thanks to Snozone Ltd for donating a Family Sledging Session

Big thanks to Snozone Ltd for donating a voucher Family Fun Sledging Session for four people.

Audi Driving Experience at Silverstone for two pledged by Audi UK

Thanks to Audi UK for donating this fantastic day out for two. Retailing at £499 EACH someone is going to have a lot of fun at Silverstone

For more information:

http://www.audi.co.uk/about-audi/audi-driving-experiences/audi-driving-experience.html

Pledge of Support from Churchill Motors

Thanks to Ian, Adrian and Wilf Churchill for their support of the Coast to Coast Charity Cycle.

Pledge of Support from Fisher Outdoor

A huge thanks to Julie and all at Fisher Outdoor Leisure for their very generous donation of a couple of bikes to help raise funds.

Open invitation to join us

Dear Fellow Coast to Coaster,

I write to you to invite you to join me on a charity cycle ride along the 140 mile route from Tynemouth to Whitehaven. The three day ride starts in Tynemouth early on May 12th 2011. I am aiming at raising a group total of £10,000 through this event. With your help and active participation in both the ride and fundraising we can support the fantastic outdoor sports activity programs the Back-Up Trust are running to enable participants with spinal cord injuries to get “back up and out there” following a spinal cord injury.

My motivation is simple; following an accident myself I luckily sustained only a minor spinal injury. It was a traumatic experience and it has taken me a long time to adjust to. Every day I feel incredibly lucky that I am still able to walk. Through my volunteer work at the Northampton Canoe & Kayak Club I have started to work outdoors with people with disabilities and can see the profoundly positive impact this has. I have recently been selected as a volunteer to a buddy to accompany and support a group of 9 spinal cord injured participants, in March 2011, as they learn to ski at a specialist centre.

Every eight hours someone is told they may not walk again.

Spinal cord injury does not discriminate. Breaking your back or neck is frighteningly easy to do and can happen to anyone through a road traffic accident, illness, sporting injury, or simply by tripping down the stairs. Paralysis is permanent. There is no cure. Sustaining a spinal cord injury not only means coming to terms with life in a wheelchair, it also leads to the loss of muscle control and sensation. Many things that were previously taken for granted become impossible and life is changed forever. Bladder, bowel and sexual function are all affected too. The suicide rate for people with spinal cord injury is five times higher than the national average, 20 per cent of people leave NHS spinal centres clinically depressed and 32 per cent have clinical anxiety.

The Back-Up Trust is here to support people in their darkest hours and inspires people to transform their lives. We understand that a spinal cord injury can be devastating and can also mean a loss of freedom – freedom to lead an independent life. All our services aim to liberate people and enable them to live beyond spinal cord injury rather than be defined by it. We provide wheelchair skills training, mentoring and rehabilitative activity courses which grow confidence and independence. We show people that they can still realise their potential after a spinal cord injury.

I know that May is a long way off but I’d ask you to start to think about fundraising and start asking your friends and colleagues if they can help to make a charitable donation or donate a prize that we can auction to enable the Back-Up Trust to continue to offer such fantastic courses, offering people the opportunity to get “back up and out there” following a spinal cord injury.

Please make cheques payable to ‘Back-Up Trust’ or donate online at:


http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/backup2012c2c

Thanks for making a difference.


Yours sincerely

William Penrice

"What Back-Up offers is beyond your wildest imagination when you are lying in a hospital having been told you will never walk again.” Andy (31)

Stage One: Tynemouth to Consett

NOTE:The description below describes Consett to Tynemouth, we are doing the reverse.

Stage Two: Consett to Nenthead

NOTE:The description below describes Nenthead to Consett, we are doing the reverse.

Stage Three: Nenthead to Penrith

NOTE:The description below describes Penrith to Nenthead, we are doing the reverse.

Stage Four: Penrith to Keswick

NOTE:The description below describes Keswick to Penrith, we are doing the reverse.

Stage Five: Keswick to Whitehaven

NOTE:The description below describes Whitehaven to Keswick, we are doing the reverse.