You may remember Mark, a member of St Michaels Lodge, who during the first lockdown took his kayak machine into the garden and for 88 days, between 14 to 15 hours a day, covered the distance of the Atlantic Ocean 3087 miles. Which is the second largest ocean in the world that covers 20% of the earth’s surface, most recently, canoed the 99 miles around The Cheshire Ring canal route, with another seriously injured veteran. He has been a Mason since 2015 and is a former soldier, having served for 16 years in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. On 2010 28th May whilst on operational duty in Afghanistan, was shot, through the neck and his C5/C6 was completely shattered, his spinal cord damaged, and for several months afterwards, was paralysed from the neck down. After a long period of extensive hospitalisation and rehabilitation, he learned to walk again. He was told by two spinal consultants that he would never walk again but has always pushed himself onwards and to his physical limits. During his rehabilitation, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity supported him, funding extensive modifications to his house, to enable him to return home and live independently. The charity remains close to him, and he now acts as one of their ambassadors and has undertaken many activities for them, to give back a little and to show his gratitude to them for their support in his time of need and extreme difficulty, as well as the support they give to others in the same situation.
Amongst his many fundraising activities
Paddled on the Queen’s Jubilee in London,
He has walked up Skiddaw, abseiled off The Big One in Blackpool, completed a Skydive and walked the Coast-to-Coast 193 mile walk.
All of these were massive achievements for him to undertake, given the extent of his injuries.
His challenges continue and this weekend he supported Walking with the Wounded in Grasmere and will also taking part in the “Walking home for Christmas”, again with Walking with the Wounded.
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please click here.
Below are some of the photos of Mark completing the challenge – what an inspiration to us all.
