Climb Croagh Patrick with Lester
Join Lester on Saturday 25th June 2022 and climb Croagh Patrick for two charity organisations, Spinal Injuries Ireland and the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
On 23rd July 1998, just four days after his nineteenth birthday, Lester’s life changed forever when he sustained a spinal cord injury. He was working as an apprentice carpenter on the roof of a two story house when the scaffolding collapsed and he fell about 24 feet. “I’ll never forget trying to grab scaffolding bars mid fall trying to save myself or break my fall, but unlike you see in the movies it’s near impossible. I hit the ground with tremendous force. Unfortunately I landed on a scaffolding plank on its side, I’ll never forget the sound of hearing my back snap and the pain that followed. Immediately I knew I was in serious trouble. My legs went all pins and needles and I couldn’t move them.”
After surgery in the Mater Hospital Lester completed his rehabilitation in the NRH which he said was fantastic and he is truly grateful to all the staff and friends he met there. Spinal Injuries Ireland supported Lester following his discharge from the hospital and after travelling around the world, Lester married his girlfriend Rachel and went on to have three fabulous children.
“Alright I never got power or feeling back in my legs, but I did recover to have a powerful life”.
“I chose Spinal Injuries Ireland as one of my charities mainly because of their peer support programme. When you have completed your rehabilitation and returned home, this is exactly the type of support you need the most;- support from people who have lived through the same experience and know exactly what you are going through”.
SII’s mission is to engage with people with a spinal cord injury and their family members, to address barriers to full participation in society and to empower members to work towards achieving personal, social and vocational goals.
Lester now wants to give back to two organisations who helped him when he was at his lowest. Not known for doing things by halves, Lester decided he wanted to take on something big and Croagh Patrick certainly fits that criteria.
TAKE PART
If you would like to join Lester in this extraordinary challenge and help raise vital funds for these 2 great charities, contact: https://www.facebook.com/lester.cassidy
SUPPORT
If you can’t take part you might like to support Lester in his challenge by donating www.idonate.ie/LesterCassidy
THANK YOU!
