As a motorcyclist, if you would like to support a charity!

[T.C.]

On Friday I was invited to the Royal Orthopedic Hospital at Stanmore as a guest of Aspire one of the main spinal injuries association charities.

http://www.aspire.org.uk/bikers

Aspire is a national charity looking after those who have become a pareplegic or tetraplegic as a result of an accident, and provide the after care that such severe disablement requires on leaving hospital.

They provide practical support such as adapted houses that patients can move into whilst their own properties are modified or they are waiting for a new property, they provide training, thereapy and all manner of hands on care, they teach patients how to use adapted computers as well as advice on what they are entitled to as well as looking after the families of those affected.

The facilities at Stanmore are amazing.

It is a national charity and covers places such as Stoke Mandeville with 12 other centres around the country.

In recent months they have been gearing up more and more for motorcyclists as they are having on average 4 people a day admitted with severe spinal injuries, albeit not all as a result of a motorcycle accident, but unfortunately, motorcyclists do form a big part of their new patient admittance.

Just last month they organised a big ride out to France which raised substantial funds.

At the moment, they own 19 houses but home to eventually get to 100 and this all takes money, not only for the houses but for all the other projects that they try to support as well.

They are trying to raise funds, and it is a charity that is not as high profile as some others, but, unlike some other charities as a motorcyclist it is one, anyone of us may need to use or call on in the future, or we may have freinds who need their assistance.

So, if you are looking to do a fund raising event or you are looking for a charity to support, then could I recommend Aspire?

If you would like direct contact details, I will be happy to provide them, but for me, it is one worthy of our support.

[Nooj]

Having crashed a bike and broken my back doing it, they'll be top of my list if get to do any charity stuff in the future.