On Sunday 6 October, David Slater, 37, from Cambridge is taking part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k joined by his sister Rosie. This is no mean feat as David has cerebral palsy so will be completing the distance in his manual wheelchair. He is participating and fundraising in memory of three friends who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and in support of another good friend who lives with the same condition. David explains why he signed up for the event.
“I hope that by pushing myself, I will inspire others”
I decided to do the Bidwells Cambridge 10k for my friends Jonathan Gilmour, Jonathan Stringer and Stuart Wickison who all had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are sadly no longer here, as well as my good friend Tyran Hawthorn who is still fighting and living with the condition.
We all met as teenagers at residential college and despite us having different personalities and me having a different disability, we were drawn to each other. I became good friends with all of them and like to think we made the most of life together. We had so many laughs.
I have cerebral palsy and predominantly use a wheelchair to get around, so I’ll be doing the 10k in my manual wheelchair. My sister is also coming along with me.
My condition makes me like a wobbly jelly burning up energy like a gas guzzler, so this will definitely be a challenge! But I hope that by pushing myself like this, I will inspire others.
“I wanted to do something positive in memory of my friends and I believe it’s important not to take anything for granted.”
Yes, there are things I find difficult, but I’m luckier than some others and I’m still here. I know they’ll be with me on the day, and I think they’d be really touched that I’m doing this – both to raise money for charity but also increase awareness of muscular dystrophy.
One of the friends I’m doing this in memory of, Jonathan Gilmour, was a long-term supporter of Muscular Dystrophy UK. Jonathan was a Cambridge University PhD student and always wanted to be remembered for his ‘ability not his disability’. His parents, Angela and Brian, were the official race starters for last year’s Cambridge 10k, something they were proud to do in Jonathan’s name.
Jonathan and I were very similar in some ways. We started college at the same time, so I knew him from the age of 16. He was a very gentle person and shy at first, before we got to know each other. He died two years ago, and I think he’d be proud that I’m saluting him in this way. He never wanted his condition to define him and, like me, didn’t want to take anything in life for granted.
Along with my friends, my eight-year-old daughter Becky inspires me to do things like this. She’s bright and sassy with a big heart. Her compassionate nature inspires me every day and reminds me to focus on the positive and push myself to do things. She loves running so hopefully she’ll join me doing something like this in the future!
Inspired by David’s story?
Our route takes you through the closed roads of Cambridge city centre, along the river Cam and onto Midsummer Common. You’ll run past many beautiful and historic landmarks and university buildings, with marshalling and clear signage throughout.
