Jon Cook is doing something incredible this Friday (14th August), Jon will be undertaking an epic fundraising challenge when he hand cycles and rows from Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, raising vital funds for the three charities that supported him during and after his rehabilitation.
In 2016, at the age of 36, Jon was diagnosed with rare tumours on his spinal cord. Following major spinal surgery in Southampton, he spent several months in hospital, including three months at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
Whilst the surgery was successful, Jon was left with permanent nerve damage, resulting in an incomplete spinal cord injury.
Jon says that the organisations that supported him during and after his recovery changed his life.
"They helped me regain confidence, become active again, find sporting opportunities, and navigate the challenges of life with a spinal cord injury. Now it is my turn to give something back."
The challenge will get underway when Jon cycles the 87 miles between Marble Arch and Dover. Stage two will see Jon complete his costal rowing challenge, rowing from Dover to the centre of the English Channel, before turning around and rowing back. This will allow Jon to complete the required distance whilst following safety protocols and meeting current regulations related to crossing the channel. Finally, stage three will see Jon complete the final leg of the challenge by hand cycling the 182 miles from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. In total Jon will hand cycle and row a total of approximately 290 miles, all whilst raising vital funds for the charities that supported him during and post rehabilitation.
