Lesley Price, a community learning disability nurse with the Stirling team, has set herself a double challenge. Air-lifted to hospital in Glasgow after she fell off her bike and was knocked unconscious, she has now signed up to a major cycle race to raise funds for the Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) service. However, she hasn’t been back in the saddle since, and is desperately trying to overcome her fear to allow her to take part. This is her story.
At the end of July 2020 on the last day of my annual leave it was a beautiful day and I was cycling with my husband in the Trossachs. We had covered around 19 miles and were just about to turn around and head back then it all went black. According to my husband, (as I don’t remember) I came off my bike, landing on my head and was knocked unconscious. I remember little of events but do remember the reassuring voices of the air ambulance paramedics and relief that they were there to help. I was taken by helicopter to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, a journey by air which took around 15 minutes, rather than one or two hours by road.
I was so grateful for their help that day and wanted to find a way of giving something back. So I have signed up to cycle the Etape Caledonia on 16th May 2021 in aid of the Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
The Etape Caledonia attracts 5,000 riders from all over the country to take on 85 or 40 miles through the Scottish Highlands, starting at Pitlochry. This is quite a challenge for me as I have never ridden in a cycle event before and I have only ever cycled for leisure and to help keep fit. Also, although I only have vague recollection of small parts of that day, it shook me up and I have not been out on the road since. So I now have to get over my fear and get on my bike if I am going to be able to ride in May 2021.
To donate to the SCAA and help keep this vital service going, visit Lesley’s fundraising page.
