11 Centres. 11 Days. 11 Hundred Miles
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This summer, a phenomenal team of five including former patient, Toby Morgan-Grenville, Horatio Chapple’s brother, Titus Chapple, Horatio’s good friend Robin Butler, Olivia Caplan and Mortimer McKechnie, took part in the mammoth challenge of cycling to all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in 11 days.
With the centres spread throughout the UK and the journey totalling 1100 miles, the team began their incredible journey in Belfast on Sunday 24th July.
Over the course of the 11 days, they travelled to every NHS spinal injury centre in the country, arriving in Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Wakefield, Sheffield, Southport, Oswestry, Cardiff, Stoke Mandeville, Stanmore and finally to Salisbury on Thursday 4th August; the evening before the date marking 11 years since Horatio died.
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The team were determined to raise awareness of Horatio’s Garden as far and wide as possible. There was a welcome party waiting for the team (along with plenty of tea and cake to fuel them for the next leg of the journey!) at each of the six spinal injury centres with a Horatio’s Garden, namely Salisbury, Glasgow, Stoke Mandeville, Oswestry, Stanmore and Cardiff.
The cyclists smashed their original fundraising target set at £50,000 and have so far raised over £80,000, with more donations still being pledged.
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Olivia Chapple, mother of Horatio and Chair of Trustees of the charity, said:
“We are thrilled and humbled by the level of support we have received during this incredibly tough and physical challenge. I am so proud of the team, their commitment has been unfailing and their enthusiasm has never wavered no matter how big the hill or heavy the downpour. Travelling with the team and connecting all 11 spinal centres with each other has been an absolute privilege. Talking with the incredible NHS staff has been particularly valuable, understanding what they get from the gardens as well as linking all the specialist centres, has brought us all a huge amount of joy. These gardens are evidence-based to improve psychological, physical and emotional outcomes for patients, their families and also improve NHS staff enjoyment of their job and wellbeing. The extra money raised will secure further Horatio’s Gardens for the 5 remaining spinal injury units, we couldn’t be happier.”
As the team cycled towards Salisbury on the last day of the challenge, the route took them to Longford Estate, home of their Patron, The Countess of Radnor. Here they were joined by Viscount Folkestone and his sister, Lady Skye Pleydell Bouverie and award-winning garden designer and TV presenter, Arit Anderson.
Arit said: “I was thrilled to be asked to join the team for the final leg of this epic challenge. The team’s enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and it was a pleasure to be a small part of their journey.” “There is no doubting the incredible healing and restorative power that gardens can offer and raising funds to bring more gardens, to benefit more people, was a privilege.”
We are enormously grateful to Toby, Titus, Robin, Olivia and Mortimer for all their efforts to support the charity in its 10th anniversary year and wish them the best of luck as they travel the length and breadth of the UK to make a difference this summer.
Thank you so much to Red Savannah, Sturgeon Capital, Cogent, Spinal Care and The Gosling Foundation for their kind sponsorship of the
Horatio’s Cycle
A special thank you also to The Gosling Foundation for their generous support
Platinum Sponsorship
Red Savannah is the world’s leading luxury travel company. The experience we offer strives to be authentic, substantial and intelligent. No glitz. No hogwash. Just cutting edge travel, redefined for the 21st century.
Gold Sponsorship
Sturgeon Capital is a London-based venture firm investing in high impact start-ups in emerging markets that are solving the key problems affected the day-to-day lives of businesses and consumers.
Silver Sponsorship – Cogent
Cogent International Limited is an independent, London-based insurance broker. They’re different to their bigger competitors, thinking and acting more quickly. Cogent are a little more approachable and a lot more passionate. With their open, innovative approach, Cogent delivers bespoke solutions for complex insurance and reinsurance needs.
Silver Sponsorship – Spinal Care
