Shortest Sponsored Walk is a Milestone for Injured Man
Written by Adam Hurst on February 28, 2013.
A Dubai resident is aiming to raise AED117,000 (GBP20,000) for the Physiotherapy Department at the hospital in England who continue to treat her severely injured father. After a serious car accident in 2010, it’s a miracle that Andrew Johnson – father of Alice Johnson, journalist in Dubai – is walking at all. Andrew underwent at least 5 surgeries to fix his shattered femurs, after a car crash in France from which he was lucky to survive. Two years later and the Physiotherapy Department are still treating Mr Johnson, who needs their constant support to regain muscle strength.
On July 13 2013, expat bride to-be, Alice Johnson will be marrying her fiancé Jon Potter in her home village of Chiddingfold, England. Her father, Andrew Johnson, will be walking her down the 15-metre aisle, as tradition dictates. Without the care and attention of the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department, he would not be walking at all.
Alice and Jon now plan to raise AED117,000 (GBP20,000) for the physiotherapy department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, to give back to the community hospital that literally got Andrew back on his feet. While the walk might only be 15 metres down the church aisle, it’s miles in terms of improvement for Andrew.
“Living in Dubai, we only see my parents a couple of times a year. It was very difficult to be so far away after my Dad’s accident, but it was amazing to see the progress he made with constant physiotherapy,” Alice said
“It’s so important to give back to the community and the vastly-underfunded NHS. I also think that physiotherapy and the fantastic work that physiotherapists do, get overlooked in fundraising efforts,” she said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to bits that my Dad will be able to walk me down the aisle at my wedding. I’m one of three daughters and he walked my two sisters down the aisle at their weddings. I was concerned that he might not be able to do it at all.”
Alice and Jon have set up a fundraising page with Virgin Money Giving, where anybody can donate as much or as little as they like online. There is also a blog page on Alice’s website, with the full story of her father’s accident and recovery. A Facebook page will be posting updates as fundraising gears up.
Events and Community Fundraising Manager at the Royal Surrey County Hospital Lucy Crockford, said “The hospital are so grateful to Alice, Andrew and Jon for their support and wish them all the very best for the 13th July! The Physiotherapy team were absolutely delighted when they heard the news. The team have got to know Andrew well over the time they have been treating him and plan to do everything they can to make sure he is able to make his 15 metre walk in July.
The money raised will make a big difference to the department and they have several different areas in which these funds could improve services, such as:
- Private cubicle space – Some patients may be in a state of undress or have problems with communication due to their condition or injury and would benefit greatly from being treated in a more private area.
- Electric standing frame – Designed to enable a patient who requires significant support to be raised from a sitting to a standing position and also be supported during standing periods.
- Multi–gym weight station – Strengthening equipment useful for patients requiring rehabilitation following a variety of injuries.
“We hope you will join us in supporting Alice, Andrew and Jon and help to make a real difference to the Physiotherapy Department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital,” she said.
The team at Bride Club ME just had to share this story with our readers, as we are sure that many of you can empathise with Alice’s predicament.
To donate or spread the word, please log on to the following: Virgin Money Giving Donation page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AisleWalk. The blog: www.aejohnson.co.uk/AisleWalk. Facebook: www.facebook.com/AisleWalk
Gwen Potter says
I’m so thrilled by Jon and Alice’s idea to invite well-wishers to sponsor her Dad’s walk down the aisle, as he gives Alice away! Please give generously to this very worthy cause.
All the best,
Gwen Potter
(Jon’s Mum!)