Yorkshire man left with life-changing spinal injury after ‘freak’ accident on holiday in Australia
Group raises over £11,000 running 500 miles after ‘freak accident’ in Australia leaves York man with a ‘life-changing’ spine injury
Family and friends are raising money for a Yorkshire[1] man who suffered a life-changing spinal injury in a ‘freak’ incident while in Australia[2].
Joe Farrow, 26 from York, was off on an adventure through Australia, when he suffered a “freak accident” in his campervan on May 14, causing him to injure his spine.
On his travels, Joe invested in the campervan, however, when a dip in the road lifted him from his seat his spine was injured and he instantly couldn’t feel his legs, a family friend, Colin Heath, 40, from York, told The Yorkshire Post.
The whole community came together to raise funds to help with Joe Farrow’s recovery. Credit: Colin Heath
Joe is now going through a slow recovery in a Sydney hospital that he is likely to remain in until the end of the year.
To try and help with the financial impact the incident has had on Joe and his family – and to boost his positive mentality – a group of his friends and family from York came together to organise a 24 hour relay, which took place on Saturday (Aug 3), into Sunday (Aug 4).
The group ran more than 500 miles, raising £11,000 to support Joe’s recovery and help get family members to him in Australia, as he is currently going through his recovery alone.
Mr Heath said the group kicked off the relay at Knavesmire for the York Parkrun, something Joe had enjoyed while living in the UK, with his uncle and cousin taking part.
The running group covered a collective 500 miles during the 24 hour relay. Credit: Colin Heath
The run then moved to Rowntree Park where a base camp was set up and groups did loops of a 1.6 mile course.
Later on, local running groups came out to support the fundraisers in the overnight shift which took place on the 1.25 mile loop at Knavesmire once again.
Finally, the relay was completed at 9am on Sunday with up to 20 people running the final loop around Rowntree Park.
Mr Heath said: “Joe is just taking his recovery one day at a time. He’s regained some feeling, but we don’t know if this is as much as he’ll have or if he’ll recover further.
£11,000 has been raised to aid Joe Farrow with his recovery.Credit: Colin Heath
“Because of this the fundraiser was not only to raise money to help in that way, but to help boost his mentality by bringing his local community together.
“People[3] in the area really have come together to show their support.”
Mr Heath thanked everyone who took part in the fundraiser and those who donated saying Joe has been “truly humbled” by the support shown.
He added it’s “amazing” to have hit £11,000, crediting the hard work and organisation to another family friend of Joe’s, Darren Baker who “made it all happen”.