Is a ‘virtual horse racing’ event to raise money for the charities associated with our trek. Come along for a fun night with extra games and raise money for a good cause. Please bring minimum £12 in change (12 x £1 coins is ideal), bring extra cash in £1 coins or your card to participate in other games.
In September 2024, I will be ascending Kilimanjaro, reaching the summit 14 years to the month since I experienced a catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury, breaking my neck whilst playing rugby for my school.
On completing this challenge in my wheelchair, I will be the first person to reach the peak with such a high-level spinal injury.
I will be raising funds for these two incredible charities:
The Inspire Foundation (INSPIRE) inspire-foundation.org.uk
The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) RFUipf.org.uk
INSPIRE funds research into solutions that make the lives of people with a spinal cord injury much better. Money raised will support critical research such as the ‘Bionic Bladder’, which uses neurostimulation techniques to control the bladder and bowel. This would allow people to toilet themselves at the flick of a switch. Their quality of life would be totally transformed, as you can imagine. Currently INSPIRE have 8 projects they are funding through universities and hospital research programmes.
The IPF is the official charity of England Rugby and supports players who have sustained a catastrophic spinal cord or traumatic brain injury whilst playing rugby union in England. They provide medical, practical and emotional support, including creating educational and employment opportunities for their clients. They also fund research projects at universities to improve life after injury and to learn how the risk of these injuries in rugby could be reduced.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest mountain in Africa. It will take 9 days to ascend, battling not only the climb but also altitude & freezing conditions. These are especially tough as my injury means I have weakened lungs and struggle to regulate my temperature. I aim to push where I can but due to my limitations will heavily rely on my support crew to help me climb.
You can see more at our gofundme link;
https://gofund.me/8e7386bb
I will be documenting my journey on my YouTube channel. I set this up to positively show newly injured people that they can still lead full and active lives.
https://youtube.com/@thetetratravels?si=fYJomIlGWxaP24AC
E mail: maxlevene@live.co.uk
Insta: @max_levene
X: @max_levene1
TikTok: @max_levene1