On 22 June, the team at Newton LDP is undertaking the gruelling Cotswold Way Challenge in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association. The epic 47-kilometre route will see the team walk, jog and run over the rolling Cotswold hills, through picturesque villages and across the best footpaths and trails the area has to offer.
Joining over 2,000 people set to take part, the event is the second endurance challenge in recent years that the team have looked to conquer, having raised nearly £20,000 for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital after walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall in 2023.
This year, in support of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), the team are aiming to highlight and raise vital funds for the cause, with its work increasingly pivotal to supporting the lives of the 105,000 people in the UK who suffer from a spinal cord injury.
Last year alone, the SIA delivered over 1,400 sessions to support the practical and emotional needs of those with spinal cord injuries across the country. Other elements of its work include amplifying voices, forging connections and clinical support.
The charity and its work are particularly important for Newton LDP director George Fox, whose late father-in-law sustained a spinal cord injury in 1984.
Speaking on how important the work of the SIA truly is, George said: “Having experienced the impact that a spinal cord injury can have on the lives of individuals and the families and friends around them, I know first-hand the difference a charity like the SIA can make to people’s lives in tragic circumstances. It is also worth highlighting that such injuries can happen to anyone at any time, with their lives changed in an instant.
“My family are now involved with the charity, as we realised just how many people are affected by spinal cord injury. There are currently 105,000 living with a spinal cord injury in the UK, and every two hours, someone sustains an injury.
“Nothing could ever prepare you for how your life changes with a spinal cord injury and the SIA’s mission is to ensure that every person with a spinal cord injury can lead a fulfilling life. They provide a full circle of support outside of medical care, which are often practical matters, like employment, accessibility, housing, and finances, as well as campaigning for better healthcare, mental health services, and disability rights.
“At the time of the accident, the expectation was that my father-in-law probably would not live much longer, due to the extent of his injuries – but he ended up living another 32 years. Until I got to know him, I had very little insight into what it is like living with a disability such as this. We all take for granted our health and mobility and probably don’t consider what the implications would be on our lives. He was a prime example of someone who always remained positive, despite the challenges he faced, and tried not to let his disability hold him back.”
For further information or to donate, go to www.justgiving.com/page/newtonldp-sia