accident lasst sept blackfriars bridge

jemjah

Hi,
I am the girl who was in the accident on blackfriars bridge last september. friends had told me that there had been a lot of support on some cycle forums, but i haven't been able to bring myself to look at them until now. i just wanted to say thank you for all your kind support and healing wishes. i am now getting back to normal life and got back on a bike a few weeks ago (but not on the roads! yet...). I had to have a number or large surgeries and they managed to put me back together again, not quite as i was but they did save my leg. the care i recieved in The Royal London Hospital was amazing, we are very lucky to have the NHS.

Next year i am hoping to cycle from Bristol to London to raise money for the London Air Ambulance (HEMS). If anyone has any experience in raising money for charity, I would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks.

il_principe

Welcome to the Forum, delighted to hear that you are on the road to recovery, and getting back on the bike. What happened to you has to be every cyclists worst nightmare and to hear you've come through is wonderful. Thanks for letting us know.

I got some sponsorship for London to Brighton a few years ago. Justgiving.com is your friend, and I'm sure some good folk on here will sponsor you if you give us a heads up.

Best of luck with the rest of your recovery and enjoy being back on the bike. We're a pretty welcoming bunch on here so do get involved or even come along to a Friday drinks at some stage (Morpeth Arms opposite Millbank tower!) there's always a good crowd!

James

the_hundredth_idiot

Yeh - glad to hear you're (mostly) mended and even getting back on the bike - very impressive.

Post your justgiving link when it's up and running and I'll definitely sponsor you. In terms of money raising tips - posting a link on here should help!

lost_in_thought

Yes indeedy, congratulations on healing up/ being reassembled, welcome to the forum and fantastic to hear you're back on the bike, on road or otherwise!

As Jashburnham has said, definitely get over to justgiving, maybe start up a facebook group, and let us know when the ride is planned - I for one would be up for it for HEMS, very worthy cause, especially in your case.

And yes, come along to beers! We are nice folk, and modest with it

redvee

Is your charity ride going to be as part of an organised one or no? The Action 100 goes from Bristol to London(ish) on August Bank Holiday. I've done it a few times and a few others here have too no doubt, the hardest part of the ride is the climb out of Marlborough.

attica

Find the most generous person you can and get them to be your first donor on your just giving page with as large a donation as possible, that always shames subsequent donors into upping their donation.

Also ask your employers, they normally have deep pockets for things like this.

After that your onto the publicity trail, local papers-use them, local; businesses-tap them for cash and try to get them a mention in the local rag as they hand over said huge sum.

Being from the Bristol area I'd be happy to help you out in any way, let me know if there's anything and I'll see what I can do.

prj45

I still can't believe HEMS isn't funded by the government, still maybe it's for the best.

17,000 missions it flown, I remember seeing it go out over my building constantly on 7/7.

Well done on your recovery and yes, post that link to your charity site, hope to see you back on the bike around London soon!

(and yes, if the Bristol to London ride is open to others let us know)

simon_e

Well done on your recovery, and welcome to the forum.

Every time I see a post titled 'accident', 'rider down' or similar on here my heart sinks and I wonder about the rider, their family and those who have to pick up the pieces. It's good to read that there can be positive outcomes.

You may have done this, but to me the obvious suggestion would be to contact the HEMS fundraising team. Both the local Hospice and Air Ambulance fundraisers here in Shropshire are very switched on to getting local media coverage and getting people involved so I'm sure they can do the same where you are. Can you get a team to ride together? Matching t-shirts and a number of faces in a photo always looks more impressive.

Best of luck with your efforts.

biondino

I also feel sick whenever I read of serious cycling accidents, but this thread fills me with hope and optimism - congratulations on your recovery and on getting back on a bike! I imagine you'll get a massive amount of sponsorship - it's a horrible thing but it doesn't half make people aware of the necessity of the air ambulance service.

OldSkoolKona

jemjah

Great to hear from you and to hear about your recovery. Having read about the original incident, it is really consoling to hear from the person involved and to hear that they are on the mend. Happy to sponsor you for your ride, and definitely come along to the Morpeth drinks, its a real great bunch of people on here and the mix of cyclist connected by the fact they cycle to work, on whatever type of bike and from whatever background, is a real gem.

Christophe3967

That's fantastic news, and good luck organising your trip. Looks like its going to be a big sucess already.

Greg T

Attica wrote:

Find the most generous person you can and get them to be your first donor on your just giving page with as large a donation as possible, that always shames subsequent donors into upping their donation.

Now that is a good top tip.


Jemjah - glad to hear that you are on the mend, I remember the incident and you must have have had a rough time. Good for you for getting yourself moving again.

I'll sponsor you. Make sure you post the link here.

artaxerxes

Thanks for posting, and good to see you haven't given up cycling.

I'll sponsor you. Make sure you post the link here.

+1 me too.

Chewy Cheeks

Welcome - its full of entertaining stuff this blog.

Good to hear your recovering

Happy to sponsor - I am amazed at the funding position of the Air Ambulance?

moonio

Hello Jemjah
I saw you after your accident on Blackfriars Bridge and you haven't been far from my mind ever since.

I am so happy that you are ok and posting here, it's really made my day
I hope you keep in touch on these forums and keep us informed of your charity activities, I'm sure lots of us will want to be involved.

Jo

The Chingford Skinhead

Jemjah

Thanks so much for posting. It is always unnerving when you read about big accidents - and a major relief and very uplifting when you hear from the victim. Congratulations on your road back to recovery and the courage you're demonstrating in getting back on your bike. I'm currently facing potential shoulder surgery from a recent cycling accident and was beginning to feel frustrated and sorry for myself - you've certainly put that into perspective for me :oops: !! Here's hoping your recovery continues.

As others have said, keep us in touch on your progress and let us know about sponsoring you.

cjcp

Greg T wrote:

Attica wrote:

Find the most generous person you can and get them to be your first donor on your just giving page with as large a donation as possible, that always shames subsequent donors into upping their donation.

Now that is a good top tip.


Jemjah - glad to hear that you are on the mend, I remember the incident and you must have have had a rough time. Good for you for getting yourself moving again.

I'll sponsor you. Make sure you post the link here.

+1.

Welcome to the forum jemjah!

SteveyW

good to hear you are

a) alive
b) getting better

best wishes for the future

Jay dubbleU

Your accident was on here the first day I began commuting so I've often wondered if you were OK - glad to hear you're on the mend

Soul Boy

Quite emotional reading this post and the messages of support.

Great stuff Jemjah, good news indeed. Best of luck with your recuperation, you're obviously made of tough stuff.

Again, best wishes for the future....

DonDaddyD

Jemjah, Glad to hear you're on the mend. I think its truly amazing that your back on the bike. You've shown amazing courage and a truly warm heart with the goal of trying to raise money for London Air Ambulance.

Welcome!!!!

dilemna

It's very heartening to hear that a seriously injured cyclist is recovering. Great news. Wish you a full recovery. Be sure to post links to your charity ride.

snellgrove

Hey, that's excellent to hear you're still alive, and even better news that you're on the mend :-)

It's really nice of you to post here - I'm sure a lot of us have thought about you off-and-on ever since and wondered what had happened; I know I certainly was.

The problem with the media is they never follow up on things, or even give the option for people to do so - Like a little section on their website perhaps. They only go for the sensational headlines etc, stuff that sells a newspaper for a day or so and then move on to something else. I know they can't cover everything, but I guess sometimes people just want to know the outcome to something eh?

Anyway - nice to hear from you, and glad you're getting back on the bike. Well done :-)

jemjah

thank you all for your kind support - i am smiling from all your posts

jemjah

i'm not in london much anymore - had to move out when i came out of hospital to recover, and have decided not to come back permanently. however, i will be in town fairly frequently again soon as am beginning to be able to work again (am a freelance photographer) so would love to come along for drinks on a friday

cjcp

jemjah wrote:

so would love to come along for drinks on a friday

Cool! Morpeth Arms near Vauxhall Bridge lights. Now the weather's getting better, there'll probably be a herd of Lycra outside.

The Chingford Skinhead

jemjah wrote:

i'm not in london much anymore - had to move out when i came out of hospital to recover, and have decided not to come back permanently. however, i will be in town fairly frequently again soon as am beginning to be able to work again (am a freelance photographer) so would love to come along for drinks on a friday

Post on here when you decide on a date, then lazy / unsocial gits like me and those who live further afield will make an effort to turn up (you can mock my sling - "call that an injury!" ). You might want to bring along a spare liver and bladder as I'm pretty sure we'll be queuing up to buy you a drink.

There are quite a few photographers on this site. Curious. Whats the link...

jemjah

thank you, i will!!! am a bit of a lightweight since my accident....

photographers and bikes... not sure - maybe the need to be free-er....

navt

Jemjah, your story of recovery is a ray of hope in a week that has otherwise been sad. I cycle pass that spot every day on my commute to work and think of you. I for one will drink to your recovery. Thank you for coming back and reading all these posts.