UK relay to help paralysed Glenmore Lodge instructor gets under way
A baton has started on its relay journey taking in the length of the UK to help raise funds for a severely injured Glenmore Lodge instructor with the biggest battle of his life.
Mountaineer Dave Hollinger cannot currently speak, stand or walk unaided after he was involved in a serious accident while enjoying the slopes at the Lecht ski centre with his family in March, last year.
He has shown great fighting spirit in the face of such terrible adversity with 14 hour stints in rehab.
This has inspired a team of 36 friends to tackle an epic relay from Lands End to John O’ Groats to raise £150,000 to help him in his recovery.
The first leg has now just got under way.
Sarah Crowsley is currently paddling and cycling her way up the south west coast of England.
Nicola Welsh, relay spokeswoman and a good friend of Mr Hollinger, said: "I feel exited, nervous, and most of all proud that we ex-nightwatch at Glenmore Lodge have come together to contribute to help raise funds for Dave using a common trait: we love to adventure.
"Contributing a few days in May to help pull this challenge off is a drop on the ocean in comparison to the work in rehab that Dave is putting in daily, 8am till 10pm everyday.
"We recognise that an accident like this could have happened to anyone of us – and Dave is one of us."
Ms Welsh added: "I’m so proud to be part of a group of people that have come together to show support to Dave and his family.
"Many of us where strangers with a common ground. I haven’t had the pleasure to meet many of the people involved in this challenge, however, I know I like them already.
"And I wish them the best of luck for their own legs of the journey."
Mr Hollinger had been tackling one final run for the day when he took a tumble and the back of his neck struck a snow fence post.
He was able to get to his feet after a while.
Hospital scans confirmed he had fractured the C6 vertebrae which helps to support the neck but he was in a stable condition and the spinal cord was not damaged.
Mr Hollinger was expected to make a full recovery.
However, several hours after being admitted Mr Hollinger, from Carrbridge, suffered a serious brain stem stroke caused by the severe whiplash from the initial trauma to his upper neck.
It left him in locked in syndrome and fully reliant on a ventilator.
The 43-year-old is now battling his lifechanging injuries at a neuro-rehab facility called STEPS in Sheffield funded by the NHS for now but it is uncertain how long that will continue.
There he is making small steps to recovery such as being able to turn his head and move his hand.
All the funds raised will be used to help with Dave's treatment and recovery.
The group of 36 assorted supporters are carrying an #inspiredbydave flag and a set of keys - signifying the role of night-watch at Glenmore Lodge that many of them carried out at the start of their careers in adventure sport.
The relay is expected to arrive in Badenoch and Strathspey towards the end of this month.
Donations can be made at
https://www.gofundme.com/rk27q?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgnsharemore_r
