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The Mighty Push is finished and we are back home. It's only been a couple of weeks since I crossed the line at Middlemarch but it already seems a long time ago and I must admit to feeling somewhat 'flat' after all the excitement. It was, however, an experience that will always mean a great deal to me for so many reasons. As far as a challenge goes it has certainly tested me to my limits both physically and mentally. The gruelling 96 miles on the gravel of the Otago Rail Trail where my average speed across the 5 days was slightly faster than a snail at 2.8 mph!! and the average daily cycle was 6 hours 40 minutes is etched into my memory! as is the gale force winds on the final day which were strong enough to pick up a bike and blow Nick's glasses off (never to be seen again).
The main aim of the Mighty Push was to raise money and awareness of the progress that has been made in research to develop treatments to reverse the effect of a spinal cord injury.To that goal the challenge has far exceeded my expectations and the total is rapidly approaching £35,000.It has also generated a great deal of interest in Scotland and New Zealand and has hopefully helped inform people how close scientists are to moving their work from the laboratory to human trials.
For me, however, The Mighty Push has meant so much more than purely the challenge itself. It gave me the opportunity to return to the place where 20 years ago my life changed so catastrophically.Despite traumatic memories that I will never be able to forget I also have a great affection for New Zealand and have lifelong friends that it was great to see again and contributed so much to the success of the Mighty Push. It really has been the friendships that have made The Mighty Push so special; from the great 'old' mates from the UK (New Zealand and Australia) who came over to join us to the people we met along the way and the folk back in the UK who have contributed so much.
In New Zealand it was interesting the way the team found their own speciality niches from Eric & Gillian, the blog meisters; Nick the mechanical whiz, general dogsbody and provider of comedy moments; Alastair & Megan chief sandwich makers; Hamish, junior team mascot; Andrea & Tony who could whip up a fantastic feast from an empty fridge; Mike the token Aussie (well he used to be Scottish) and photographer; Rob who showed me how it should be done (handcycling that is); Tree & Becks our New Zealand PR team; Sam & Christina alcohol procurement; Norm & Pat senior team mascots; and last but definitely not least my wife Lynn who by the end of the trip had packed and unpacked so many times that she could pack the handcycle into a shoe box. Without these people The Mighty Push could not have happened and certainly would not have provided so many amazing memories. I also cannot sign off without again mentioning and saying a big thank you to all the fantastic folk in the UK who have supported the Mighty Push (you know who you are!), followed it through this blog and sent messages of encouragement.
So a BIG thank you to one and all
PSI am currently considering suggestions for the next challenge so please send your ideas to ...... just kidding my intention is now to eat pies and drink beer!
- comments
Eric and Gill We feel very fortunate and proud to have played a small part in your adventure...how about penguin herding in the Falkland Isles....slightly closer and less windy !?! Let us know your thoughts....Eric and Gill xx
dawn Jones Just something to consider - if you go for the penguin herding challenge DON'T get Nick involved (just ask him how he tried to herd escaped pigs! Not quite the same I know) unless that is you are looking for huge support in the comedy moments.