Jonathan Ranson Cycling Marathon for Charity!
On Tuesday 19th May, Clontarf local, Jonathan Ranson, will be attempting to hand-cycle a Marathon (42.2km/26miles) around Clontarf and the surrounding areas (within his 5km radius) using a specially adapted hybrid hand-cycle attached to hisx§ wheelchair to raise much needed funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland.
Spinal Injuries Ireland are an essential support service for people who have sustained spinal cord injuries and their families, providing a nationwide person centred service to assist people engage fully in society following their injury.
Following Jonathan's accident in 2014, he spent 6 months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire. This is where he was introduced to Spinal Injuries Ireland. They were his gateway back into society, brining him to the Aviva stadium for the Autumn International Guinness Series Ireland Vs Australia match, along with various trips to the IMC cinema in Dun Laoghaire giving him the confidence to engage back into society.
Like many charities, Spinal Injuries Ireland's fundraising has been completely obliterated. They rely on fundraising for 60% of their operating costs, having already made major cutbacks and cutting their annual budget by 30%. Many of their annual fundraising events have been postponed and therefore are in urgent need of donations.
For many people, isolation is a relatively new concept in the time of Coronavirus, but to a lot of people with spinal cord injuries, isolation is an all too common fact of life.
Here's a link to Jonathan's Go Fund Me page, please support if you can. And be sure to say hi if you spot him out on May 19th!