Back Up

The countdown is on – Do The Loop is entering its final stretch! 🏁 So far, our amazing participants have: 🌍 Covered a total of 6,289 km 💰 Raised £12,971 🏆 This week’s leaders: 🥇 Top Fundraiser: Meryl Anne Bushell – £1,976 raised! 🏃♂️ Most Distance Travelled: Jo Taylor - 236km km! 👥 Leading Fundraising Team: The Trusty Loopers – £4,762 raised! 🚀 With the last week approaching, every donation and every loop counts. Let’s finish strong together! Want to support the challenge? Donate today: https://lnkd.in/e7Z492gC Stewarts Fletchers Group

🚴♂️ Tonight, we’re at the Olympic Velodrome in Stratford, bringing some of the spirit and the excitement of 2012 to our London to Paris cycle challenge 2025! This iconic 450km ride takes place in September, with riders cycling through beautiful countryside and finishing under the Eiffel Tower — an unforgettable experience made even more special by the incredible team spirit. Tonight, we’re bringing together prospective riders and key supporters, including Evershotrail and Stewarts Every mile cycled and every pound raised helps prove there are truly #NoLimits. Place are going fast, but there’s still time for cyclists and hand cyclists to sign up. 👉 Find out more and sign up: https://lnkd.in/eca9aMVg #LondonToParis #BackUp

Doing the Loop with purpose and passion🌟 Meet Meryl Bushell Meryl’s husband, Richard, faced a difficult and uncertain journey. Five years ago, he had two spinal abscesses that left him dangerously ill with sepsis. “Because Richard’s decline was gradual, he was never admitted to a spinal unit. Instead, we were passed from one medical expert to another with no plan or coordination. We were both pretty desperate at the lack of support and information.” That’s when Meryl discovered Back Up. “I came across Back Up while searching for help. Richard signed up for the What Next course, and I joined the family support sessions. It made a huge difference — we could finally talk to people who understood and offered practical advice.” Since then, Richard has regained confidence and hope. He’s planning to return to volunteering and has signed up for a City Skills course. Inspired by Back Up’s travel podcasts, Meryl and Richard have even travelled to Chile, Antarctica, Argentina — and are currently in Japan! Now, Meryl is taking on Do the Loop to give back: “Like any charity, Back Up needs to raise funds to keep doing its incredible work. I want to help raise awareness and ensure others get the support we received.” She’s really enjoying the challenge — getting active, spending time outdoors, and feeling good knowing she’s making a difference. 👉 We’re halfway through the campaign, but it’s not too late to join and help us reach our target and help the 4,400 people who sustain a spinal cord injury in the UK every year. 📲 Sign up now, or choose to support one of our team of incredible Loopers: https://ow.ly/fnGu50VjNJ4 How many loops will you do?! #DoTheLoop #SpinalCircuit

"I was told I’d likely never walk again, but now I can take a few steps with a Zimmer frame. Hearing others' stories was so inspiring, and it even motivated me to take my frame to the park the next day and walk further on a smooth pathway." Looking for a supportive space to connect and share experiences? The Back Up Lounge is a free online session designed for individuals affected by spinal cord injury to come together, engage in open conversations, and learn from others with similar experiences. Whether you’re seeking advice, looking to share your journey, or simply want to listen, this is a welcoming and inclusive space for you. No topic is off-limits, and every discussion helps strengthen our community. 📅 Join us on Wednesday, 19 March 6–7 pm 👉 Sign up for free: https://ow.ly/wOv750Vi5vA Know someone who would benefit from this? Feel free to share or tag them below.

Our latest What Next? course was a resounding success! This free, two-day online course provided participants with invaluable knowledge, practical insights, and the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations. Attendees found it highly engaging and gained a wealth of useful information to help them plan for the future. Expert speaker Jodee Mayer shared key guidance on managing affairs, care, and financial considerations, offering essential support for life with a spinal cord injury. Missed this course? Don’t worry! Our next What Next? course is taking place on Wednesday 4 – Thursday 5 June 2025, and it’s completely free. Secure your place today: https://ow.ly/wsNa50VhYhY

The Do The Loop challenge is in full swing, and our participants are smashing their goals! 💪 Together, they’ve now: 🌍 Travelled an incredible 4,259 km 💰 Raised £11,536 – bringing us closer to our £30,000 goal! 🏆 Who’s leading the way? 🥇 Top Fundraiser: Meryl Anne Bushell – £1,703 raised 🏃Most Distance Travelled: Jo Taylor – 160 km 👥 Leading Fundraising Team: The Trusty Loopers – £4,251 raised 👏 Every loop completed means more support for people affected by spinal cord injury.. Will you help us go even further? Donate or support the challenge here: https://lnkd.in/e7Z492gC

Join Team Back Up at the Amsterdam Marathon – Secure Your Place Today! On Sunday, 19th October 2025, take on the Amsterdam Marathon and experience one of Europe’s most iconic races. With a fast, flat course, this world-class event begins and ends at the Olympic Stadium, taking runners along the Amstel River, through the Rijksmuseum, and the scenic Vondelpark. This is a fantastic opportunity to push your limits while supporting Back Up’s vital work, empowering people with spinal cord injuries to rebuild confidence and independence. 📅 Date: 19th October 2025 📍 Location: Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam 🔞 Minimum Age: 18 Places are filling up quickly don’t miss your chance! Sign up today: https://ow.ly/aIKK50Vfyjr

We’re Looking for Buddies for Our Multi Activity Course in Exmoor! Do you enjoy the outdoors and want to make a real difference? Join us as a buddy on our Multi Activity Course in Exmoor from Monday 21 – Friday 25 April 2025. As a buddy, you’ll support and encourage people with a spinal cord injury as they take on exciting activities like canoeing, abseiling, and archery. You’ll help create a positive, supportive environment while building strong connections and learning new skills yourself. No experience is needed – just a friendly attitude, patience, and a willingness to help. You’ll receive full training and support before and during the course. Be part of something incredible. Sign up today: https://ow.ly/WqU850VfN8w

“She loved the course as soon as she went on it. She was able to meet people similar to herself. It’s like her spinal cord injury wasn’t an issue. Everybody was the same. “Eva loved all the activities, but her favourites were canoeing, zip-wiring, and archery – I think she was almost a bit overwhelmed that she was able to access everything!” At Back Up, we're here to help everyone affected by spinal cord injury thrive at any age. Our children and young people's services gave Eva a supportive community of others in a similar situation. This year we are hosting a range of confidence-boosting courses, including Multi Activity Courses for under-18s, as well as our Youth City Skills course in Bristol. Visit our website to learn more and get involved! https://lnkd.in/e8YCAMns

We're delighted to share that our corporate partner, Big Yellow, will be funding our Coach to Work programme this year. Coach to Work trains volunteers to become spinal cord injury-focused career mentors who are then matched with our service users to support them to find meaningful employment. Thanks to everyone at Big Yellow, in particular Jim Gibson & the trustees, and Sabina Patel-Jhanji, for helping us deliver our life-changing services for people affected by spinal cord injury. Big Yellow Self Storage