03/08/2009 17:43pm HM Plant Honda Official Update And
Fundraising Announcement For Nick Crowe and Mark Cox
Following Nick Crowe and Mark Cox's accident during the
second TT sidecar race in June, HM Plant Honda is pleased to
issue an update on behalf of Nick and Mark and their
families regarding the boys' recovery and also, to announce
details of kind fundraising activities.
Both Nick and Mark are overwhelmed by the continuing
well-wishes and support for them and their families, as well
as the fundraising activities which have taken place and are
still being planned.
They would like to sincerely thank all those who organised
and took part in the generous fundraising activities on the
Isle of Man, to include a sidecar pull around the Island, an
auction, an island quiz with pubs around the island
connected by a website, and a golf tournament.
A UK fundraising event is now being organised by Nick and
Mark's sponsors and takes place on Friday 21 August at the
Yorkshire Suite, behind the Golden Lion Hotel in
Northallerton, DL7 8PP.
A number of TT riders are hoping to attend the event,
including Honda's dynamic road racing duo of John McGuinness
and Steve Plater, as is Ian Hutchison and Guy Martin, with
more TT solo and sidecar riders still to confirm. An auction
and raffle will enable those attending to win some great TT
and racing memorabilia, as well as non-motorcycling, but
exciting, goodies!
The evening will kick off at 8pm and will run until late,
with entertainment throughout the evening. Tickets are £10
each and entry will be by ticket only, which can be booked
by calling Emma Hudspeth on 01969 625111 or Eve Vanner on
07518 021137.
Commenting on the fundraising, Nick and Mark's families
said, "We are overwhelmed at how generous people have been
and we can assure everyone that the money raised so far, or
the proceeds from fundraisers still in the planning, will
not be used for our daily living. It will be used to buy the
equipment that Nick and Mark are going to need to help them
re-establish as much as a normal life as possible, as well
as fund any costs incurred while the boys are injured. Thank
you so much to everyone who has both organised fundraising
activities, such as the sidecar pull around the Isle of Man
and the evening event at Northallerton later this month, and
also got involved and been so generous with their giving. We
are truly amazed and humbled. Thank you."
Commenting on Nick's condition, his wife Danny said:
"There has been all sorts of speculation and concern about
Nick's injuries and operations. I can confirm that Nick has
had four operations so far, one of which was to remove his
lower right arm, as the damage to this area was extensive
and was also causing issues for the recovery of some of his
other injuries. Due to the extensive damage to his right
leg, Nick has also had two donor bones inserted and we now
hope that his own bones will knit well to those over time.
His knee was also very badly damaged and we hope that this
may be semi-functional in the future, but it is too early to
say at this point. These operations have been successful,
although further operations over the coming months will be
necessary. Nick's other fractures are now beginning to heal
well and with his intensive physiotherapy, Nick is now able
to at least be mobile at times by being pushed in a
wheelchair and has amazingly walked a few steps, obviously
though with the external frame around his leg.
"The hospital and the whole surgical team have been
outstanding and when you stand back and actually reflect on
what they've done, achieved, and still plan, the whole thing
is like science fiction and we have no words sufficient to
express our gratitude and amazement for the skill and care
of the surgical and nursing team.
"Nick has two main focuses. His first is to recover as
quickly as possible and get home. The second, but also I
think a driving force of his first aim, is to rebuild his HM
Plant Honda sidecar. He knows most people would see it as a
pile of scrap but he knows he can rescue it. Nick has looked
at all the photos of the damage and knows exactly what he
wants and needs to do to get it to show condition, but with
an engine, and has already started speaking to friends and
racing colleagues in order to help him prepare and do this.
Louis Christian of LCR Engineering has offered to rebuild
the sidecar chassis free of charge, which made Nick's day!
Nick said that this year's sidecar is the best he's ever
ridden and he wants to restore it for that memory.
"Nick has up and down days but the fighting spirit we're
seeing in him over his injuries and recovery is that of a
true racer. I'm amazed by Nick and in awe of this guy in how
he is taking each day as it comes and facing everything he's
had to contend with, with such spirit and determination.
Those are two qualities in him we now value more than ever
as we know those are the qualities, along with the great
medical attention, that got him through those first critical
hours and are aiding his slow, but steady recovery."
Commenting on Mark's condition, his fiancée Amanda said:
"Mark spent the first few weeks following the accident in
Noble's hospital on the Isle of Man, where his condition
stabilised well. He was then transferred to Liverpool where
he underwent two operations in his first week there, on his
left leg and ankle. As a result of the injuries, Mark's left
leg is four inches shorter than it should be and another
operation is planned in the next few weeks that will
hopefully lengthen his leg, although it is not certain this
operation will be successful. If not, a further operation
may be needed for a donor bone to be inserted. Mark's ankle
will need further re-constructive surgery and he'll also
need an operation to repair ligament damage to his left
knee. The fractures to Mark's pelvis and right hip are now
beginning to heal well, having been repositioned, plated and
pinned, as is the case with his right arm as well.
"Mark has been having intensive physio and will continue
this for the next few months, although he and us are pleased
he was recently moved to a London hospital, so at least is
now closer to home and his family. He hopes to be able to
get into a wheelchair in a few weeks and then work towards
getting on to his feet.
"The determination and courage Mark shows daily is nothing
short of inspiring and he's so humbled and grateful by
everyone's efforts, support and well-wishes, both for him,
but also for me and our children. Thank you all again."
TT Champions
Nick Crowe & Mark Cox are presently undergoing medical
treatment in the UK and require urgent financial assistance
to help with current and ongoing expenses.
SURE’S COUNTRY MANAGER TO RAISE MONEY FOR CROWE AND COX
Sure’s Isle of Man Country Manager has begun training for a
marathon later this year, which he will run with his son to
raise money for TT stars Nick Crowe and Mark Cox.
Mike Stanton and Will, 19, will take part in the BUPA Great
North Run in Gateshead on Sunday 20th September, with all
money raised going to a fund set up for the sidecar racers.
Nick and Mark, who are both sponsored by the telecoms
company, suffered severe injuries in an accident at Ballacob
during TT Sidecar Race B. Both have since been airlifted to
hospitals in the UK; they remain in a very serious
condition.
The BUPA Great North Run covers a distance of 13.1 miles.
This year more than 52,000 people will take part.
Mike is an experienced marathon runner. However, this is the
first time he has chosen to take part in a marathon to raise
money for charity. He commented: "The team here at Sure are
devastated by the injuries suffered by Nick and Mark in TT
Sidecar Race B last month, particularly so because they are
sponsored by us and we know them both very well.
"It is going to be an incredibly long road to recovery for
both of them. Their families will need a lot of support
during this period, which is why myself and Will have
decided to take part in the Great North Run this year to
raise money for them.
"On behalf of everyone at Sure, I would like to take this
opportunity to wish Nick and Mark the best of luck with
their recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at
this very difficult time."
If anyone would like to sponsor Mike and Will in the Great
North Run, donations can be made via PayPal. Log onto
www.paypal.co.uk and
type in the email address
nickcrowefundraising@manx.net
Please
note that all donations should be marked as a ‘gift’
otherwise the fund will be charged.
The second Auction has started on ebay now with more stuff
being added on to it each day so please keep checking to see
if the is anything that catches your eye. This auction is
going to be running for a lot longer as there are alot more
items and we are trying to spread it out a bit more so we
dont have things finishing at the same time.
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/nickcroweandmarkcoxfundraisingshopx__W0QQ_armrsZ1
.jpg)