Geoff's Charity Bike Ride

In 2008 Geoff took part in the Forest of Dean Half Marathon, a distance he had undertaken quite a few times before. However, on this occasion disaster struck and Geoff never made it to the finish line. “Medics have told me subsequently that I had an unusual breakdown of muscle tissue causing a massive chemical imbalance, which stopped my heart.” Fortunately for Geoff a fellow runner, who happened to be a consultant anaesthetist, was on hand to help keep Geoff alive and initiate his rescue! Geoff’s heart stopped beating for itself for 16 minutes and the fact he remained conscious is due to a host of other runners who took turn at CPR, thus keeping him alive. The St John’s Ambulance defibrillator was eventually deployed, and he was rushed to emergency care by the unique ability of the Air Ambulance.

“I am of course ever grateful to all those different agents and I have given financial support appropriately, but I believe that at this 10th anniversary of the event I would like to make a special effort to raise funds for one of those for the Air Ambulance. Without their help I would not have made the recovery that I have. The organisation runs entirely upon charitable donations and I think this is a great opportunity to help the service continue and in so doing say thank you once again.”

Geoff is undertaking an arduous 5-day cycle through the southern part of Madagascar to raise funds for the Air Ambulance and would be so grateful to anyone who could sponsor him.  The trip starts at the end of September and he is aiming to raise £5000 for the Air Ambulance  www.justgiving.com/fundraising/geoff-boldero