Tom Johnson, a hospital worker with asthma and a form of Cerebral Palsy affecting the use of his arm and leg, has raised over £2,000 for local charity Age UK Isle of Wight, by successfully completing a gruelling 106km challenge.
Back in April, it was reported how Tom had committed to the Isle of Wight Challenge and had been training hard for the event which took place on the 5th and 6th May, along the Island’s coastal paths.
Out of around 1,500 participants Tom finished in an impressive 16th place overall, despite falling after 15 miles injuring his knee and his elbow. Tom soldiered on, ignoring the advice of his friends and family, such was his determination to finish. His injuries were patched up, then re-dressed by First Aiders at each checkpoint, before he crossed the finish line where he received his medal and cheers from his very proud Mum and friends.
Brave Tom commented:
“My friends were explaining that no-one would think any less of me if I didn’t complete it due to my injuries, but I knew that I had to keep going, there was no way I wasn’t going to finish!”
Tom raised an incredible £2,383.60 for Age UK Isle of Wight, smashing his £1,275 target. Donations came from far and wide and included money raised by a 10-year-old family member who chose to have her long flowing hair cut short in support of Tom’s astonishing challenge. In addition, Tom was approached in a supermarket by an 82-year-old lady who recognised him from reading about his fundraising, telling him that what he was doing was wonderful and gave him £10 from her purse, as a donation.
Elisha Leachman, Fundraising Manager for Age UK Isle of Wight has said:
“We are so grateful that Tom chose Age UK Isle of Wight as his charity to run for, his story is amazing and so inspirational. 100% of the funds he has raised will stay on the island, helping our older community to live happier, healthier and more connected lives, so thank you to everyone who supported him in raising this incredible total.”
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Tom commented:
“I’m totally overwhelmed by everyone’s support, to have a stranger come up to me and give me a donation shows me that what I’m doing is making a difference, and it makes all of the training and hard work worthwhile. So many people feel that having any form of disability restricts them, but I like to challenge myself, and I’m going to keep on challenging myself”.
