Personal post-Marathon note from Pete

What a great day out in London - Well done Scott, many congratulations! Scott’s first ever marathon, achieved in the most incredible time of 2hrs50, which is unreal. Although he made it look easy, you cannot underestimate the commitment and resolve required throughout the weeks and months of training across the winter period (says the bloke who couldn’t quite crack the 3hr barrier himself all those years ago!). It was a humbling - if somewhat surreal - experience to be amongst the crowds in London on Sunday, to monitor and watch Scott’s race unfold, and be able to meet up with and congratulate him on The Mall shortly after he finished.

I’ve asked Scott to publish this short note on his Just Giving site as my opportunity to say a few words of thanks, firstly to Scott himself. It was he who selflessly made the offer to my brother, Thomas, to turn his marathon challenge into a crowdfunding effort for my benefit. As if his brutal training regime was not testing enough, Scott also made time to arrange a hugely popular and successful fundraising pub quiz evening in his Devon local. There is no end to this young man’s talents - he’s a Royal Marine, of course! Scott, I will be forever grateful. You’re a very special human being with a great future ahead of you. Words are not enough, but Thank You.

A brief word on my brother: Thomas has been at my shoulder every step of this journey since the day of my accident. Ultra supportive, he has gently involved himself at every level. Believe me, there are benefits to having someone of higher rank in your corner, with an uncanny ability to influence and engage on your behalf! Whilst at a lower level, he also proved equally adept at pushing me around St James’ Park on Sunday, at speed in my wheelchair, as we frantically went in search of Scott who had just crossed the marathon finish line. Thomas, you have been a true rock - I owe you. Thank You.

My final vote of thanks is to everyone who has so generously donated in support of Scott’s crowdfunding efforts. Many of you kind donors don’t even know me, but have still been willing to donate to the cause as a means of supporting Scott’s personal commitment to cracking the marathon. The total raised through his Just Giving site has simply defied belief - it is truly humbling. Thank You.

A final word on how I will use the funds raised: My wish was to purchase some mobility enhancement equipment that will improve my independence both at home and at work. Due to your generosity, my range and choice is considerably greater than I had previously envisaged, but it is not something I will rush into without greater research and consideration. At this time, I hope it is sufficient to say how very grateful and fortunate I am to have this opportunity and how much I look forward to, amongst a plethora of other activities, routinely being able to access the local shops from home or join the kids out and about on a cycle ride. Both these examples will improve my quality of life immeasurably. Thank you for helping me onwards with this journey.

Best wishes. Pete

Unfortunately I've had to create another Just Giving page due to previous page expiring. We're doing so well so far we've raised £16,615 and we're hoping to hit our Platinum goal of £18,000! By doing this we can allow Pete and his family to purchase the best possible wheelchair money can buy with all the extras which will allow him to use the wheelchair in all terrains.

If you don’t know me, my name is Scott Cartwright. I am a serving Royal Marine, and I will be attempting to run this April’s London Marathon in under 3 hours to raise money for a Royal Marine colleague. This means that I will need to average running each mile at 6 minutes and 50 seconds for the 26.2 miles. It will be a real challenge, but I am determined to give it my best shot as my ambition is to make a difference for someone in particular.

I will be running the marathon in aid of a fellow serving Royal Marine colleague, Pete Manson, who unfortunately suffered life-changing injuries in a road traffic accident when he was knocked off his motorcycle in May last year. As a result of a severe spinal cord injury, he is now a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair and is currently a patient at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall. I am aiming to raise money to help him live as independently as possible, enabling him to provide the best possible support to his young family as they grow up.

Pete has always been actively competitive in terms of his willingness to challenge himself physically - something to do with his Royal Marine psyche! He has twice run the London marathon himself, ironically both times in support of a particular spinal charity. Despite the current physical limitations of being in a wheelchair, nothing has changed his outlook or his competitive spirit. In fact, his situation brings into play any number of new physical and sporting challenges, some of which Pete may get to try out as his rehabilitation progresses. Many of these opportunities are made available through the generous support and assistance of both the Armed Forces and dedicated charitable organisations.

However, for now, his greatest wish is to have sufficient mobility to support and keep up with (maybe even overtake!) his children - aged 12, 10 & 8 - and encourage their participation in sports and activities as they develop physically. Just like every Dad, he would wish to be their greatest supporter! But, you can go only so far and so fast in a standard manual wheelchair. Today’s technology offers wheelchair add-on capabilities and other innovative designs that would enhance Pete’s independence and assist him in going further, faster and for longer. These range from the basics of enabling him to negotiate safely the incline of his own domestic driveway, to sharing the joys of a cycle ride alongside his family, all achieved using the benefit of new electric technology.

I have set myself incremental fundraising targets in the form of Bronze (£3000), Silver (£6000), Gold (£12000) and Platinum (£18000) that align with certain levels of mobility technology options readily available on the market. With your help, the more I can raise, the greater the level of mobility support Pete gets. Attached is an information note containing indicative examples of the kit that these funding target levels would afford. There is an ever-growing array of solutions in this niche market to deliver what Pete needs.

I am one of the lucky few to get a marathon spot through the ballot which means I don’t need to run for a specific charity. Every penny of your kind generosity will go directly to mobility kit for Pete. Whilst I will do my best to make my target of running the marathon in under 3 hours, please help me in aiming for the Platinum target that Pete so deserves.