Sponsor James

I am running the London Marathon not only to test myself and complete my first ever marathon, but most importantly for my dad, who sustained a spinal cord injury in a cycling accident just over a year ago.  

I haven’t run a marathon before. I’ve completed plenty of half marathons, but this will be my first full marathon. Since retiring from rugby in 2020, I’ve spent most of my time running 5-10km distances, as well as completing standard and Olympic triathlons. Over time I pushed myself further and began running half marathons and now I’ve decided it’s time to take on the big one.

I chose to run for Aspire because the support they’ve given my dad and our family has meant the world to us.  They stepped in during an incredibly difficult time; from providing equipment to improve his comfort and independence in hospital, to simply reminding us that we weren’t alone in this journey. Their support has made a real difference.

My dad was involved in a devastating road bike accident that left him paralysed from the neck down. He spent three incredibly difficult weeks in intensive care, battling serious complications. While we are incredibly grateful that he stabilised, the reality at that time was heartbreaking.

He was in Llandough Hospital in Cardiff almost a year and it has been an incredibly long and difficult journey. The long-term goal is to help him regain as much independence as possible, but every day is a battle, physically and emotionally - both for him and for all of us who love him. As a family, we’ve done everything we can to support him, spending as much time with him as possible in hospital and slowly adapting to a future none of us ever imagined. In the midst of all this, we also welcomed our first baby girl, Millie, into the world. She has brought an incredible amount of joy and motivation to my dad during such a difficult time.

Aspire has been nothing short of a lifeline for us. From providing essential technology to improve Dad’s comfort and independence in hospital, to giving us hope and reassurance that we’re not alone in this journey, their support has made a real difference in some of our darkest moments. 

I’d especially like to thank Brian, Aspire’s CEO, for his kindness, and Drew, an Aspire Assistive Technologist, for his ongoing support.  Drew has been nothing short of incredible with my dad. As a 66-year-old, technology wasn’t always his strong point, but during rehab Aspire helped my dad improve his understanding of how to use his phone and iPad. He showed him how to use voice control and other accessibility tools so he could stay connected with us through WhatsApp, FaceTime, and messaging.

That ability to communicate and stay connected meant a huge amount to all of us. Alongside the technology support, Aspire also provided emotional support and genuine, honest conversations with my dad from the very beginning of his injury through to leaving rehab almost 12 months later.

I’m running the London Marathon for Aspire, for my dad - to honour his courage, resilience, and fighting spirit - but also for the thousands of others living with spinal cord injuries who are facing the same uphill climb.

Seeing such an active man, someone incredibly fit and strong for his age, suddenly placed in such a vulnerable position has been incredibly hard. But his determination and the progress he has made through all of this have been nothing short of remarkable. Our hope is that one day he’ll be able to push himself physically again, whether that’s on a bike, a three-wheeler, or in whatever way possible.

I have been doing my fundraising via a mixture of WhatsApp groups and social media, including videos and meaningful updates about my dad and my training. I’ve also tried to be strategic with timing, occasionally sharing posts just after payday!  Thankfully, I’m very fortunate to have an incredible network around the world. Through rugby clubs, former employers, university connections, and friends and family, many people have generously supported the cause.  I also helped raise funds through a local quiz night, which contributed towards the total for Aspire. Lastly, I run my own business, so I set myself a target every quarter to donate to the cause.

It’s hard to fully describe the mix of nerves and excitement. The dedication and focus required to complete this distance has never been higher for me. With the crowds and incredible support the London Marathon produces, I imagine it must feel similar to running out into a packed stadium, an atmosphere that lifts you when you need it most. 

Seeing first-hand the impact Aspire has on people living with spinal cord injuries inspired me to give something back. Running the London Marathon felt like the most meaningful way I could do that.

Running the marathon is a small way for me to say thank you to Aspire for everything they’ve done, and to show how much I love and admire my dad.  I’m running for him, for Aspire, and for everyone living with a spinal cord injury who deserves the support and opportunity to live as independently as possible.

Sponsor James

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