Horatio’s Garden fundraisers were given a warm welcome when they stopped off at The James Cook University Hospital as part of their mammoth challenge of cycling to all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK.
Horatio’s Garden is a charity that creates gardens in NHS spinal injury centres across the UK and the team are planning to work with Our Hospitals Charity to establish a garden at the Middlesbrough hospital.
Staff from the hospital’s Golden Jubilee Spinal Cord Injury Centre were joined by Team GB event rider Nicola Wilson, who is currently a patient at the centre, to cheer on the cyclists as they continued on their journey from Belfast to Salisbury.
In memory of Horatio
The charity is named after Horatio Chapple who was tragically killed on an expedition in Svalbard aged 17.
Horatio’s brother, Titus Chapple has been joined by Toby Morgan-Grenville, Robin Butler, Olivia Caplan and Mortimer McKechnie for the epic journey which covers nearly 1,100 miles over 11 consecutive days.
The team, who are being supported by a number of other cyclists for parts of the route, aim to raise £50,000 to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the first Horatio’s Garden being created in Salisbury.
Titus said: “I am so proud of what my parents have achieved in memory of my brother Horatio.
“The cycle challenge is a big undertaking, but I am delighted to be taking part to help raise funds for future Horatio’s Gardens across the country, giving more people living with spinal injury access to these beautiful sanctuaries.
“I know Horatio will be watching our backs and encouraging us all the way.”
The charity plans to establish a Horatio’s Garden at all 11 NHS spinal injury centres and has already completed six.
Supporting spinal patients
Each Horatio’s Garden is evidence-based to improve psychological, physical and emotional outcomes for patients and their families.
With each garden funded entirely by voluntary donations, the money the cycle team raise will be vital in helping to ensure people affected by spinal cord injury right across the UK are supported throughout, and beyond, their time in hospital.
Messages of support
Anneka Rice, Horatio’s Garden ambassador said: “Everyone with a spinal injury deserves access to nature during their long stays in hospital and this marvellous team are helping to bring Horatio’s Gardens to all. Please donate!”
As the team cycle into Salisbury at the end of the challenge, they will be joined by award-winning garden designer and TV presenter, Arit Anderson, along with three-time Olympic gold medal winning rower, Pete Reed.
Donate online
To support Horatio’s Cycle Challenge visit www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/horatioscycle