On Friday three intrepid “thirty-somethings” will do all they can to raise £5,000 for a new charitable foundation, Get A Life!, which has been set up by an Islander following a life-changing road traffic collision at the age of just 23.
Walking 17 bridges across London’s River Thames from Tower Bridge to Putney bridge, the trio will pound the pavements for more than 15 miles.
Get a Life! is a foundation set up by an inspirational young lady, Karen Reader, who had a car accident which left her having to use a wheelchair at the age of 23. This also meant Karen had to put the careers she loved as a Virgin air stewardess and professional dancer behind her.
While Karen and her family were trying to pull their lives together she realised just how difficult it was to find the emotional and practical support needed by people whose lives are left devastated in this way – and so she set up this vital foundation.
The funds raised will be put to use by funding the Charity’s ‘Get Started!’ campaign which will provide a one stop shop of information and advice for individuals and their families who become disabled.
This initial campaign will be an online resource with hard copy leaflets distributed through medical facilities. Once this phase is achieved, Get a Life! will work with trained counsellors and psychologists to develop tailored support groups and counselling sessions for couples, parents, children and other loved ones left affected by a family member finding themselves facing a future living with a disability. By supporting the relationships of the individual affected as well as by helping their own emotional well being, the Foundation is supporting them the best way we can.
Karen Reader, founder of Get a Life! Foundation, says:
“As a charity very much in its infancy, we are so grateful for the efforts of these wonderful ladies to help us move forward in our quest to improve the emotional support for individuals who become disabled and their families.
Article continues below this advertisement “My husband and I Get up Get a Life! Foundation after our own experience following my life changing injury. We felt there was little support to help us adjust emotionally, both as individuals and in our relationship.”
The three walkers, who are supported by TSB Bank plc, are Charlotte Sjoberg of north Wiltshire, Hari Miller of Bristol and Clare Needham of Wallingford in Oxfordshire. Costa Coffee is also lending its support by providing refreshments along the way.
To support the venture, visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/17bridges.
To find out more about Get A Life! visit: www.getalifecharity.org.
Featured Photograph L-R: Charlotte Sjoberg and Karen Reader launch Get a Life
First Photograph: Hari Miller and Charlotte Sjoberg plot the route
