28 February 2011
Leighton Buzzard man, Jamie Hull (right) is hoping to inspire and motivate
others this April when he walks the 26.2 mile London Marathon to raise funds for Keech Hospice Care.
Back in 2007, Jamie went to Florida to take a private pilots course. Nearing the end of the course, he was flying solo when a fire broke out amidst the plane’s engine. With very little time to react, Jamie made the decision to veer the plane down towards a grassy embankment, made his way out to the wing and jumped from a height of 20ft! Because the plane’s propeller was still spinning, unfortunately flames were fanned in his direction and Jamie suffered 3rd degree burns to 60% of his body, largely affecting his right side.
Having been a very physically active person, the former Thames Valley Police officer spent 6 months in intensive-care and a total of 2 years in a hospital bed, first in the US then back in the UK. In that time he has had 49 operations including many skin-grafts and surgery to remove large parts of the muscle in the lower parts of both his legs, leaving him with partial paralysis in his feet. Despite this and the extensive scars he still has, Jamie considers himself lucky to have recovered so much.
“There was quite a long time when I felt down and out and had lost my own sense of motivation,” says Jamie. “It took some effort but I bounced back and I’ve actually realised I am lucky. At one point I thought I might lose my legs but that didn’t happen. Because I was so active before this happened I think I have something in me that drives me to go on. I know now that there’s always hope and I’m just doing my very best to make the most of life.”
Luton born Jamie has lived in Linslade and Leighton Buzzard since the age of four. He started walking locally in the area around Leighton Buzzard and in the last 12 months has covered a distance of 2,500 miles. Taking on the marathon is just one of the challenges he has set for himself. He is also planning a personal expedition of 900km across the Pyrenees later in the summer.
Jamie explains; “I began walking as a way of boosting both my fitness and my morale. I’ve always been one to push myself and rise up to the challenge so, although I can’t run, I can walk briskly and I’m hoping to complete the marathon in around 9 hours.”
Since his injuries Jamie has supported a number of local charities and says he will continue to do so.
“I was 32 when my accident happened. Before that I was very active and then suddenly I realised what it means to be vulnerable. Being in hospital so much, I met people with all kinds of injuries and illnesses, some of which were terminal. These were people who were going through a process a bit like me, but whereas my body is healing and repairing itself theirs won’t. I think it was this realisation that made me want to do something for a local charity like Keech Hospice Care.”
Keech Hospice Care provides vital hospice services for local adults and children with life-limiting conditions, helping them to enjoy the best quality of life possible in the time they have with their families. Each year, the charity’s adult service supports around 250 patients and their families from the Luton and South Bedfordshire area. Through its children’s hospice and a community nursing team, Keech currently cares for almost 300 families looking after a life-limited child from across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.
Mike Keel, Chief Executive at Keech, commented: “Hearing Jamie’s story you can’t help but feel inspired. To see someone so motivated by what they are doing and so dedicated to helping charities like ours, in spite of their own difficulties, is truly exceptional. On behalf of everyone at Keech I would like to thank Jamie and wish him all the best of luck for Marathon day.”
If you would like to sponsor Jamie for his London marathon challenge please go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamieHull
If you have a place in the London Marathon or are taking part in any other challenge this year and would like to support Keech Hospice Care too, please contact the charity’s fundraising team on 01582 707940.
Keech also have a number of Gold Bond Marathon places in 2012. If you are interested in applying please visit www.keech.org.uk/marathon for more information.
