Monster year of fundraising with “The Beast”
On the evening of July 15th 2015 Tony “The Beast” Jones, a 49-year-old from Solihull, was about to have a life-changing experience; he was involved in a serious collision while cycling. With a wife and three children, the accident was devastating, and resulted in Tony being kept at Heartlands Hospital for four days before being transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for a further fifteen days. During his time at the QE, Tony had two operations, and was released on August 4th 2015.
However, Tony has been left with not only the physical but emotional aftermath of the accident, stating: “The event is now scarred into the very core of my cerebral functions.” Tony has been left with the heart-breaking realisation that he will not be able to cope with cycling on the roads of the UK for the foreseeable future.
The emotional impact of the accident has had such a profoundly negative effect upon Tony, as 10 days prior to the accident he completed a ‘Half Iron Man’ involving a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, and a 21.1km run; however, when Tony came to the QE he couldn’t move.
However, Tony has been making an extremely promising recovery. The father of three has described his treatment at the QE as “phenomenal”. He said: “It was a miracle. The QE brought me back, so I want to give something back to help the hospital’s amazing staff fix someone else.”
The brave survivor has decided to “move on and take my life back”, and has decided to do so by raising money for the QEHB Charity. Over the next year, with help from friends and colleagues, Tony’s ambition is to hit the £5,000 mark. The year of fundraising will culminate in Tony attempting another Half Ironman in late August 2016.
In the lead up to the Half Ironman, there will be a host of exciting events taking place throughout the year, such as a Halloween Party at Solihull Municipal Club, and an Equinox 24 event, in which a team of Tony’s friends will take part in running as many laps as they can, as part of a 10k relay route in a mixed terrain race against the clock for 24 hours at Belvoir Castle.
Becca Harris, Communications Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “We are incredibly humbled hearing Tony’s story and subsequent fundraising plans. I’d like to wish Tony and his friends the best of luck for all of their forthcoming events. We look forward to supporting them throughout the coming year.”
To donate to Tony’s JustGiving Page click here: The Miracle Factory.
You can also join The Miracle Factory or donate prizes and buy tickets to the Halloween Party by contacting either Keith Jones keith.Jones@kgwashford.co.uk or Tony Jones replytotony@hotmail.com .
To donate by text: Text SIIX followed by the amount you wish to give e.g. £2 to 70070
For more information about QEHB Charity please call 0121 371 4852.
