Now thats what I call a support crew!

If you’ve followed my journey, you’ll know that last year’s big event (2024) was… let’s say, “memorable” for all the wrong reasons. Certain individuals turned what should have been the proudest, most uplifting experience of my life into a cruel circus. Even a year on, they’re still at it, still firing off petty messages and making cruel jabs. And honestly? They can keep at it. Because this year showed me what life, and people, should be like.

Last Year: Darkness in Broad Daylight

Imagine training for months, well years, pouring your soul into something, only to be belittled, mocked, and sabotaged by the very people meant to support you. That was my reality. Instead of feeling lifted, I felt crushed. The event got done, but I’ve never once looked back at the photos with pride. They’re in a folder I never open. I was told by others who have done big and small events that it was not normal for any event to go like that, and they were right...

This Year: A Different Universe

Fast-forward to this year, and it was the polar opposite. I went in wary... scar tissue doesn’t vanish overnight... but what I found was the kind of support crew I’d always dreamed of. These weren’t people out for attention or status. These were people who rolled up their sleeves, brought their humour, joined in as a team, and made the hard days not just bearable, but joyful.

From the start line hiccup (our car locked in a London garage, because of course it did), to the endless hills, to the medication days, nothing rattled this crew. They had my back. They made me laugh when times were physically exhausting. They respected when I needed space for my medication. They reminded me, again and again, that kindness is much louder than cruelty.

Meet the Dream Team

Cat – My incredible wife, event chair, route-planner, and all-around superhero. Balancing “wife” and “logistics boss” isn’t easy, but she nailed it.
Hallie – Navigating London with paper maps like an absolute legend. Also makes the world’s best flapjacks (fact).
Paul – A walking comedy show who kept me laughing even when my shoulders were screaming.
Joel – Cameraman, editor, and confidant. He captured the journey by day and stitched it into magic by night.
Theresa & the planning team – The invisible backbone who kept everything running. Heroes don’t always wear hi-vis. Team Adopstar you are amazing.
And so many more... Sue Dorrington who saved the 1st day by stepping in like a superhero, Zee and the ChildFund crew (Chris, Meg, Lindh and Vee were all so enthusiastic, kind and really encouraging. Physios who gave their evenings, Tess and John, my body thanks you. The Sarah Massey and the RWC team were absolutely incredible. Rugby legends, and everyone who turned up to cheer, support, or chat, it was so incredible, memorable and my heart if full of happiness.

This time, evenings were filled with laughter, meals were fun and every person gave more than they took. And in that, I realised: this is what “support crew” really means.

The Bigger Picture

People often ask me why I do this. The training, the pain, the endless logistics, it’s not for glory. It’s for fundraising, for women’s rugby, for showing that disability doesn’t mean the end of sport. Last year nearly broke me. This year rebuilt me. And it proved what I now know deep in my bones: the right people lift you higher than you ever thought you could go.

Looking Forward

I’m so lucky to be surrounded by joy, kindness, and unstoppable people who make flapjacks that could win Bake Off. I’ve got future events to plan, charities to support, and a heart full of memories that actually make me smile when I look at the photos.

So now last year will be put into a box, covered in dirt, and left to grow mold, like it should! I will remember the achievement, but no longer think of what was taken from me, but what was gained. But this year? This year was a healing, hilarious, hill-conquering masterpiece. And it’s thanks to genuine nice people, and its only the beginning. (Still smiling!!).