Man feared brain damaged after car crash cycles height of Everest to raise funds for NHS

Rob Duckworth was involved in a car accident in 2007 and at the scene of the accident he lost six pints of blood, he was in a coma for a month and doctors warned his family that even if he did survive he would have suffered serious brain damage.

He has had to learn to walk and talk again but since 2013 he has been undertaking epic fundraising challenges to support the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, which is where he was treated.

One was cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats and his latest cycling challenge was 8,848 metres, which he completed under lockdown and in his garage.

On April 17 he began the virtual cycle of the ascent of Mount Everest in the Himalayas, and which is also the Earth's highest mountain above sea level.

Using his smart trainer and Zwift to simulate the exact gradient of the climb, which took 12 hours, he completed his ascent of Everest.

He was cheered on by his parents and neighbours who passed by the garage while he was cycling.

Thanks to his fundraising efforts, Rob has raised over £2,500 which will enable Leeds Cares to provide NHS staff with vital support during this unprecedented time.

This will help fund care packages, assistance with travel and accommodation where needed, as well as helping to fund other health and wellbeing initiatives to boost morale across the wards.

He said: "I lost six pints of blood at the scene of the accident and was in a coma for four weeks, doctors told my family that even if I did pull through I would have serious brain damage, but I somehow defied the odds.

"I have a completely new perspective on life and want to embrace every moment, I’m proud of how far I’ve come since then.”

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