– Sascha Gomes
A DERBYSHIRE man has raised almost £2,000 for two local charities after their volunteers featured in saving his life following a rock-climbing accident.
Twenty-two-year-old Reece Henderson, a student at the University of Derby, fell almost 60 feet when his anchors gave way whilst rock climbing in the Peak District National Park just six months ago.
After landing on the only spot of grass amongst a mound of boulders, Mountain Rescue and the Air Ambulance arrived at the scene. Reece had broken two vertebrae, seven ribs and his collar bone. He also suffered contusions and lacerations to his lungs, liver and kidneys and has been left permanently deaf in his right ear.
Reece, from Codnor, had to undergo hours of surgery at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield to have rods and pins placed in his back, enabling him to sit up and reduce the threat of a collapsed lung.
Just nine days later, Reece was discharged from hospital and was already making plans to return to an active lifestyle.
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Three months after the accident, he was given the all-clear to return to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) with his Gracie Barra team-mates.
Reece and his coaches/club owners, Stephen and Christine Martin – who are both Black Belts in Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, organised the 24-hour Grappleathon to raise money for the services that helped save Reece’s life last year.
During the event, participants practiced BJJ – which utilises leverage-based techniques to force opponents into submission – non-stop with at least 2 members on the mat at all times. A total of 87 participants between the ages of five and 52, took part in the Grappleathon which was held at the Gracie Barra club on Station Road, Ilkeston.
Eager to live his usual active lifestyle, he said, “getting back into sports was one of my main motivations during recovery” and “it took pure grit and determination” to get the all clear to go back to training Jiu-Jitsu.
“The amount of support we’ve had for the Grappleathon has been amazing,” said Reece, “it has been a real community event and I’d like to thank everyone who has donated and the people who volunteered on the day.
“We had families and friends come down to support us and bring welcoming refreshments to get us through the 24 hours.”
Kerry Wilson, representing Your Air Ambulance, paid tribute to the club’s fundraising efforts. She said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Reece Henderson and the Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu club for carrying out the Grappleathon. This unique event has helped to raise vital funds that will help keep our helicopters flying.”
ENDS
For further details, contact Sascha Gomes on 07738 923 886 or email [email protected]
