Well done, you really are tough guys (From Worcester News)

Well done, you really are tough guys

3:40pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Read

SIR – I was pleased to see the picture of Luke Weaver during his triumphant success in the Tough Guy Challenge (Worcester News, February 3).

He took part in memory of his girlfriend Jo Lambe, who died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after spending three weeks in Laurel ward and five weeks in intensive care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Mr Weaver hopes to raise more than £4,000 towards a new medical assessment unit at Laurel ward in the hopes that future patients might not suffer so much as Jo.

Rob Rideout, of Ledbury, also completed the arduous obstacle course and hopes to share £800 between Help for Heroes and Fund For Heroes.

Some people would think them mad to test their endurance to such an extreme but we sports fanatics understand (I was once an allround sportsman).

I was suddenly struck down with Parkinson’s disease to the extent that I could not walk 200 metres without falling.

Yet, now with medication, exercises, walking and aquafit I am able to walk more than five kilometres and hope to enter the one-kilometre fun walk/run at the Acorns Triple Run in June. It can be done – and I’m 80.

PHIL PEGLER
Worcester