A RUNNER is going the extra 48 miles to bring his friend’s dream of attending music festivals and going on holidays to life.
James White will be raising funds to help pay for a specially adapted campervan for his school friend Joe Lockington, Lockers, who was left paralysed when he was just 14.
In 2012 Lockers was rushed to hospital after he suffered a spinal stroke which caused paralysis from the neck down as well as leaving him unable to breathe without the help of a ventilator.
After spending almost 18 months in Birmingham Children’s Hospital the avid rock music fan headed back home to Solihull where he had to adapt to his new life needing 24 hour care.
James said: “Lockers is an incredible guy and he fully deserves any support we can offer him.
“He has never let the barriers he faces every day dampen his personality nor his spirit, so if we could help him to be able to access his passions of music, travel and enjoying more adventures with family and friends, I’d be over the moon.”
To honour his friend James has set himself the challenge of 48 miles in 48 hours, a challenge he discovered while working as a sports journalist for the BBC.
The 25-year-old, who has yet to set a date, said: “I’m planning to stay local to where myself and Lockers grew up for the running challenge, so I’m hoping to do it all in and around Solihull.
“I’m still in the process of deciding on an exact route, but I probably won’t be heading too far from home as I’ll need to get back to eat and rest in between runs.”
The adapted van would allow Lockers get about with all the facilities he needs for everyday life.
James said some of the vans can cost around £90,000.
James is hoping to raise £10,000 for the cost of the van, this will be added to funds already raised by his and Locker’s friend Ben Phillips who took on an iron man challenge for the same cause.
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