Payback time

Today marked the return visit to Oswestry to formally present the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries at the RJAH Orthopaedic and District Hospital with the funds we raised through Rachel’s Headstrong Ride.

The obligatory comedy big cheque shot

After a stressful drive there getting stuck behind numerous tractors, slow drivers and roadworks, we finally arrived a little frazzled, promptly unloaded the bike and helmet, then tried to look inconspicuous whilst wheeling the bike through the hospital corridors to the Centre.

The helmet that did it's job

My lovely consultant and Director of the Centre, Mr El Masry, was there to greet us on arrival, and our first job was the photocall. Props on hand were bike, cracked helmet from accident, new helmet, and comedy big cheque, which the medical photography team had mocked up for us.  Mr El M and I performed our various poses in front of three photographers (OK, one of them was Adrian!), so I may well be hitting the headlines in the Shropshire press!

Time to pedal off for lunch

We were then whisked off for a celebration lunch in the restaurant. I was slightly worried that this might be one bland hospital meal too many, having consumed 111 of them during my stay – most of those whilst lying flat – but thankfully, a lovely buffet awaited, and I enjoyed my lunch in an upright position!  We were joined by Trust Chairman Russell Hardy (himself a cyclist and triathlete), plus a number of the nurses and doctors from the centre, who were also celebrating their fundraising efforts after completing the three peaks challenge a couple of weeks ago.  The start of their challenge was delayed by many hours as they were caught behind a road traffic accident which they assisted with – one of the nurses held the head of one of the casualties with a potential spinal injury for nearly two hours whilst the emergency crews did their work.  This meant that instead of starting the Ben Nevis climb at 5pm, they were ascending at 3.30am, but they still completed their challenge in 25 hours.

We shared stories, thanks and praise, then got talking about what our next challenge might be.  Ward sister Rebecca had an idea about doing a cycle relay between the 12 spinal injuries centres of the UK next year, which was quickly gaining momentum…

Reasons to be cheerful: 1, 2, 3…thousand

Nearly four weeks have passed since Rachel’s Headstrong Ride, but there’s been no let-up in the headstrong action.

Show me the spondulies

Staggeringly, the totaliser continues to rise, and I’m pleased to report that if we include the gift aid, we’ve now broken the £3,000 mark – that’s three times the initial target, which, as Craig Revel Horwood would say, is FAB-U-LOUS!

I have three thousand thank yous to make, but you’ll be pleased to hear that I’ll keep it to ten:

1. To my wonderful team of volunteers who ensured that the event ran smoothly: event HQ members Barry & Linda Edwards, Sarah Burrows, Clare Edwards and Kerris Caley; official ride starter and sweep Debbie Dean; marshals Annette Williams, Carol Robson, Geoff Robson, Maggie Dennis, Cliff, Thom Straw, Marilyn and Bill MacKenzie; lifeguards Sid and Sue; route marker Alistair MacKenzie; goodie bag stuffers Kirsty Mack and Dave Milner; and my all-round constant supporter and go-for in the build up to the big day, my hubby Adrian Burrows.

Bicycle repair man to the rescue

2. To Ben Froggatt of Venture Bikes for ensuring that the Headstrong Riders could pedal on the day free of mechanical worries – many took up Ben’s services to give their bikes the once over before the off!

3. To John James for taking such wonderful photographs on the day and documenting the thoroughly fab time that we had – we’ve all enjoyed viewing the pics time and time again.

4. To Bostin Bloke for capturing the atmosphere of the event on video -  a lovely surprise that makes me smile and get emotional in equal measures when I view.

Cadbury-licious

5. To Sam Breakwell and Cadbury, for kindly donating an assortment of more than 300 chocolate bars to reward the riders on the finish line – that was certainly the biggest cheer heard on the day!

6. To Eric Adams and the Friends Hall Farm Street Trust, for their surprise pledge of £200 – my jaw dropped when that cheque arrived on the doorstep.

7. To Sue Amey, the Cannon Hill Park rangers and Birmingham City Council for seeing the merit in the event and giving us the license to go ahead.

Hold the front page!

8. To my journalist friends Richard McComb and Jenni Ameghino for telling my story in the Birmingham Post, Mail, Mercury, Post Lite and Birmingham Press, and helping me to achieve my targets.

9. To my social media supporters, twitterers, facebookers and bloggers who all helped to spread the word so fantastically by posting, retweeting, forwarding, e-newslettering, networking – this made the biggest impact in uptake of riders and of donations.

10. And finally, to all the Headstrong Riders and Supporters for committing, donating, pedalling, buying helmets, taking part, telling friends, having whip rounds, overcoming the saddle-soreness – you made it happen.

I’m off to the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital in Oswestry at the end of the month to make the presentation and find out more about new developments in patient care.  There’s a couple of weeks left to get any final monies in.

Truly tremendous folks.

A bostin Headstrong Ride movie

So, Bostin Bloke, aka Donato Esposito, who made the Headstrong Ride a family affair by cycling with his son and daughter, was also capturing some wonderful moments on video!

Thank you Mr Bostin for capturing the atmosphere so well and producing this lovely movie for us as a momento – it makes me smile every time I watch it!

Headstrong Riders show people pedal power

As I headed to Cannon Hill Park early yesterday morning, I had a little nagging doubt that, despite all the pre-event activity and commitment, when it came to the day of the event we wouldn’t have a great turn out of riders.

The Headstrong Riders

I couldn’t have been more wrong – the Brummie family cycling community came out in force, and proved that when it comes to people pedal power, the Headstrong Riders rock!

Event HQ

The sun was shining.  Riders arrived early and were even helping us set up event HQ.  We had a queue of people clamouring for those last 10 places. The atmosphere was fantastic as the moment built to the official pedal-off at 11am.

The spirit on the route was palpable, and it was such an amazing sight to see the long line of riders, both young and old, stream along the Rea Valley route.  I heard from many that it was the first time that they’d got on their bikes for years, and how much they’d enjoyed a relaxed pedal on a Sunday morning.  Others were introduced to the Rea Valley route for the first time too, and were surprised that there’s such a lovely and accessible cycle path in the heart of the city.  Three riders enjoyed the route so much that once they got to the finish, they decided to do the route all over again!

A lovely slideshow of photos from the event is available here, thanks to the wonderfully experienced photographer John James, who kindly supported the event in kind by documenting it for us.

And we're off!

I’m pleased to report that we got to a staggering 123 riders signed up, so the 106 target was smashed.

And now to the fundraising target.  We were aiming for £1,000.  That target has been completely obliterated! Donations are still coming in, but taking into account the cash taken on the day, and adding the gift aid bonus for those that paid on the JustGiving website, I’m delighted to announce that the totaliser is currently standing at a gob-smacking £2260.03!

I am completely overwhelmed. I’d like to thank you all for your tremendous support in doing something positive on the actual anniversary of my accident.

Community spirit is alive and well.

The big day arrives

We're ready to go!

The rain has stopped and the big day is finally here! Here are the final arrangements:

Sign in/pedal off times
The rider start times and groups are here – we’ll be departing from Cannon Hill Park in groups of 10, at 3 minute intervals.  I have indicated your sign-in time to report to event HQ (by the bandstand in Cannon Hill Park), and your pedal off time

Group photo opportunity
There will be a photographer covering the event for me, and if you’d like to be part of a group photo of all riders, you will need to be present at 10.45am, regardless of your sign in time.

Procedure at sign in

Let's go

When you arrive at event HQ, you will first be asked to read and sign an event disclaimer, to reinforce that you are responsible for your own safety/conduct on route, and also for the safety of your dependents.  Once that’s signed, you’ll be given your rider numbers to pin to your shirts.  Debbie Dean, our official ride starter, will be calling the groups together and setting each group of riders off at the designated time.

Let’s get pedalling!

Headstrong Riders reach the limit!

We have had an overwhelming response to this event and advance entries to the event are now CLOSED, at 110 riders!

Fandabbydosie, we've smashed our targets!

The final 10 places to ride will be allocated on the day, on a first come, first served basis. The absolute official limit of riders permitted is 120.

I would like to thank you for your tremendous support – it is truly humbling.  We’re at 150% of the fundraising target too, with more than £1,500 raised!

Rachel and the Headstrong Riders

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Momentum builds to the big day

Which Headstrong Rider number are you?

The Rider Numbers are printed.

The fundraising target is smashed.

The rider target of 106 is just 8 people short, with still 36 hours to go.

The event marshals are gathering.

The risk assessment is submitted.

The event signs and directional arrows are collected.

Bikes are being given the once over.

The anticipation, momentum and excitement is almost tangible!

Are you ready?

Roll out the banner