Shrewsbury pair say thank you with heroic climb
Two men from Shrewsbury who suffered brain haemorrhages are defying their disability by walking to the top of Snowdon in a charity challenge on 11 June.
Chris Marshall, 30, was treated at the internationally renowned Walton Centre after suffering a major brain bleed in 2006. Surgeons helped him to make a partial recovery, but five years later Chris still has limited power in his right side and walks with difficulty.
Mike Jones, 46, of Bayston Hill, also suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2006 and was treated at The Walton Centre. After undergoing rehabilitation, Mike succeeded in getting out of his wheelchair, but still has balance problems and walks with the help of two sticks.
Mike, who climbed in Scotland and the Alps before his brain bleed, said: “I cannot thank The Walton Centre enough for their help; now, I am really enjoying being back in the hills and doing something I love.”
Chris, of Bicton Heath, is a former performing arts student who previously enjoyed walking and mountain biking.
He said: “I’m determined to keep walking and exercising and though this will be a big challenge I want to do it for myself and for The Walton Centre. I would like to show people you must never give up, and that with good rehabilitation and effort there can still be hope for the future after an acquired brain injury.”
The pair met last year through the brain injury charity Headway in Shropshire, which has a centre in Bicton Heath to help brain injury patients regain functional and social skills.
Funds raised by Chris and Mike will go to both The Walton Centre for equipment in the rehabilitation unit and to Headway Shropshire.
