There are many ways to mark a milestone birthday. Getting together with your nearest and dearest to show support for a cause close to your heart is surely up there with the most special!
We want to say a huge thank you to big-hearted UA supporter Richard Bragg, who raised an incredible £4,000 for our charity by completing a ‘triathlon with a difference’ as part of his 60th birthday celebrations in June.
Bristol-based veterinary surgeon Richard runs a busy practice with wife and fellow vet Helen, who lives with a urostomy. Together, they enjoy an active lifestyle, so when it came to planning Richard’s 60th it made sense going for something fitness focused as a motivator to keep on moving.
Hitting on a 60km triathlon (18km run, 2km swim, 40km cycle) – and making it as sociable and inclusive as possible so friends and family could join in for as much as they could manage – was a lightbulb moment. Richard taking on the sponsored challenge in aid of the UA was the icing on the cake!
Forever grateful
Richard said: “Helen and I are forever grateful to the Association because of the difference it’s made to us, particularly nearly five years ago when Helen had just been through major surgery and was in the early days of adjusting to stoma living.
“The listening ear and support of a urostomate ‘buddy’, who understood what she was going through, helped Helen navigate what felt like an uncertain – and sometimes overwhelming – time. We always kept a positive, can-do attitude, but knowing there were others who’d been where she was, and had got back to busy, rewarding lives, gave Helen that extra bit of confidence as she adapted to daily life with her bag.
“As a couple, we enjoy being outdoors and exercising, so it was reassuring for us to know that Helen having a stoma wasn’t going to mean missing out on the hikes, swims, cycle rides and skiing we love doing together.”
Team spirit
The runaway success of Richard’s fitness fundraiser reflects not only his kindness and determination, but the team spirit of friends, family and clients who supported the event by taking part or by sponsoring Richard.
Richard said: “To make it a family and friends affair, we decided on Bedfordshire as a location as that’s where lots of our relatives live, and made sure everyone knew it was for all ages and abilities. It was really touching to be joined by those who got involved.
“What made the day extra special was having my two daughters join in (one of whom came over from Australia), Helen joining the swim and cycle, and my 88-year-old mum completing 8km of the ‘run’ on her mobility scooter!”
Paying it forward
With Helen enjoying greater freedom and better quality of life thanks to her urostomy, the couple are paying forward the kindness they’ve received from the UA – Richard through his fantastic fundraising and Helen as one of our valued volunteer buddies, reassuring others that they don’t have to face their urostomy journey alone.
The UA’s Transformation Director Samantha Sherratt said: “As a charity, the UA simply could not survive without the kindness of supporters like Richard and Helen, who are such great examples of positivity and gratitude. We couldn’t be more grateful to them for the difference they make.
“Richard’s triathlon is proof that extraordinary impact can be achieved when people come together with a shared sense of purpose for a cause they care about.
“Thank you so much to everyone who kindly turned out to support him or went online to sponsor him via his JustGiving page. The £4,000 raised means more people facing surgery for a urostomy, or recovering after their operation, can access the advice and support they need to stay well, keep active and embrace life to its fullest.”