Snowdon push

Three years ago when I was lying in a hospital bed having been told I would never walk again I never thought that I would be sitting at the highest point of Mt Snowdon having just pushed up it.  

Of course been a skier sitting at the top of the occasional mountain is not unusual for me these days but it normally involves a lift up and a quick run down. In May this year with a team of 10 from Deloittes we took part in the Snowdon Push a challenge event run by The Back-Up Trust. With there been no snow on this mountain the push was a real challenge with Snowdon having the toughest terrain I have been over since been in a chair, I was very grateful to have the help and support of the guys and girls from Deloittes. What really made a difference was the chair that RGK lent me. It was one of the chairs from the TV show ‘Beyond Boundaries’ and without it the challenge would have been a lot harder. 

I would like to thank all of those from Deloittes that helped me in this challenge and RGK for the use of their chair. The satisfaction I felt after reaching the top was incredible. I never thought I would push up a mountain. I would definitely say now that I built for going down hill!!!

London Marathon

I would like to congratulate my sister, Sarah Franklin, who this year completed the long 26 miles of the London Marathon raising money for The Back-Up Trust. She completed the long run despite spraining her leg after the 8^th mile. My family and friends have been a continuing support for me and I was very proud of Sarah accomplishment.

Mars Drinks helps spinally injured teenagers get back on track.

Yet again I’m afraid I have let the blog get a little out of date so but please stay with me while I try and get things up to date.  

After returning home from Canada the season behind me and a couple of medals it wasn’t long before I was on the slopes for one last week before a break over the summer.  

I was group leading a youth group with The Back-Up Trust, the charity that first got me back on the slopes after my injury. Thanks to The Back-Up Trust with the support of MARS Drinks 8 spinally teenagers aged between 13 – 17 years old were able to get out and enjoy the slopes of Åre Sweden.  

I know how spinal cord injury can be a struggle for both the teenager and parents to come to terms with. Back-Up’s ski course aims to meet the needs of everyone involved, not just the kids but the people who care for them too. The Back-Up Trust supported me a lot when I was first injured and it was great to be able to give something back helping the kids.

 All the kids did really well and were determined to throw themselves into the challenge of skiing and all the activities having a great time in the process! To have the support of MARS Drink was really encouraging to the young people and staff.