Motorcyclists who had legs amputated in separate crashes join forces to promote major trauma charity to Yorkshire businesses
Two Yorkshire motorcyclists who are supporting people with life-changing injuries after their own serious crashes will share their personal stories of recovery during a business networking event in Leeds.
Henry Morris and Sam Waddington have both had their left leg amputated below the knee after suffering horrendous injuries in motorbike crashes. Henry, 37, was hit by a car that pulled out from a side road in Wyke as he rode from his home in Halifax to work in Leeds in June 2018. Sam, 35, was put into a medically-induced coma after breaking several bones when a car hit his bike near Bridlington, East Yorkshire, in June 2013.
The pair are now Peer Support Volunteers with charity Day One Trauma Support and visit patients and families on the trauma wards at Leeds General Infirmary – home to Leeds Major Trauma Centre. They give hope and emotional support to those who are recovering from catastrophic injuries similar to their own. Later this year they will take on a 96-mile hike along the West Highland Way in Scotland to raise money for Day One so it can help provide financial, practical and emotional support to even more people like them.
On Thursday 21 March, Henry and Sam will share their inspirational stories to business leaders from across the region during an open networking event entitled ‘Surviving catastrophic injury: from hospital to the Highlands’. The free event is open to anyone to attend from 10am-12pm at Vertu Land Rover, on Sheepscar Way, Gemini Business Park, Leeds. Vertu is providing its premises and refreshments for free as Vertu and Day One are members of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Day One Trauma Support was set up in West Yorkshire, but now helps people across the UK who have suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of incidents such as car crashes, falls from height, stabbings and sporting accidents. The charity provides caseworkers who work alongside NHS staff on the wards, such as at LGI, and helps people nationally through its website and phoneline.
To register your place at the free networking event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/day-one-trauma-support-networking-event-tickets-840790205137
Henry Morris, 37, of Burnley, Lancashire, said: “The paramedics and all the medical staff at the Major Trauma Centre in Leeds were fantastic, but nothing prepared me for the word ‘amputation’. Day One Trauma Support was there for me. They arranged for a Peer Support Volunteer who was an amputee to talk to me. He understood how I felt and was there to answer all my questions – he even demonstrated how he took off and put on his prosthetic. This support was what I needed and is what I hope I can now provide as a volunteer myself in the hospital. I’m so grateful to Day One, which is why I’m pleased to take on a fundraising challenge and share my story with others as part of this event.”
Sam Waddington, 35, of Bridlington, East Yorkshire, said: “The medical teams are amazing and were instrumental in saving my life, but when you’ve been through such a traumatic injury you need more than medical advice, which is where Day One comes in. Day One wasn’t around when I had my injuries, so I had to find out a lot of information on my own. I’m proud to be a volunteer and able to share my experiences to help others. It’s been a privilege to meet and get to know Henry, and for us to take on this fundraising hike together to support such a wonderful cause. I hope businesses from across Yorkshire will enjoy our talk and take something away from it to inspire them.”
Hayley Ibbotson, senior fundraiser for Day One Trauma Support, said: “We’re so grateful to Henry and Sam for everything they do as volunteers to ensure others aren’t left to cope on their own following catastrophic injuries. Their stories of recovery are truly inspiring and we hope local businesses will come and listen to what they have to say, while having the opportunity to network with others from across the region.”
Matthew Clarke, Fleet & Business Sales Manager at Vertu, said: “We are delighted to support Day One Trauma Support and the amazing work they do in and around the local area and beyond, along with building on our existingnrelationship with West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and their continued engagement with the local business community here in Leeds and surrounding areas.”