Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury. A spinal injury can happen to anyone at any time, and no one is prepared for how it will change their life. Aspire exists because there is currently no cure.
Individuals affected by Spinal Cord Injury will lose muscle and sensory control and a large majority will become full time wheelchair users for the rest of their lives. Through its projects and programmes, Aspire offers practical support to the 40,000 people living with a spinal cord injury in the UK. This support allows people with spinal injury to lead fulfilled and independent lives in their homes, with their families, in their workplace and in leisure time.
Aspire do not receive any government funding and rely solely on generous donations from supporters. To find out more about what they do visit www.aspire.org.uk
You can support their work by fundraising and maybe taking on a sporting challenge, which is a great way to get fit and do something amazing for the people they support.
Their fundraising events include Marathons, Half-marathons, open water swim events, Channel Swim relays and Cycle sportives such as Ride London among many others.
The most popular challenge is the Aspire Channel Swim. Last year around 6,500 people signed up to the challenge and there are hundreds of stories about how the event has inspired people, predominantly women, to get fit and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Between September and December you can swim 22 miles at a local pool and at a times that suit you. With profile pages, online support to monitor, track and share your progress, it's a fantastic way to keep motivated with your fitness and fundraising goals.
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can do and a great way to get fit whilst raising money for an amazing cause. To register for your personal challenge, go to https://www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk