I’M not sure whether you watched Splash tonight? (not the film from the eighties, but the Tom Daley six-pack-fest on Saturday night prime time.)I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t normally. But tonight Nottingham lad, Paralympic Gold Medalist, and ’40 Marathons in 40 Days’ runner, Richard Whitehead MBE was on the diving board, and ready to take the plunge.
Over the past two years we’ve watched Richard not just win Gold at the London 2012 Paralympics, but run 40 Marathons in 40 Days in aid of Sarcoma UK and Scope, and do everything he can to inspire others to take their own journey.
We have been lucky enough to get to know Rich, his lovely lady, Val and their gorgeous little girl Zarah over the past year, and we were there in Land’s End at the very end of his 40 marathon journey last September.
He genuinely believes anything is possible, and tonight he showed that despite being a double amputee, and diving not even being allowed to be a Paralympic event because of its level of difficulty, Richard yet again defied the odds.
Following his handstand dive, from the ten-metre-high board, our boy got the highest marks in the competition so far, and sailed through to the semi finals.
I’m sure he’ll be determined to be the best, and achieve as highly as he can in this competition. But I’m guessing more than anything, Richard will be determined to use this platform (if you pardon the pun) to raise as much awareness of Sarcoma UK, the charity closest to his heart.
Every time I see anything Rich achieves, it makes me remember to stop myself when I think it’s not possible to get all my jobs done in a day, or to achieve the goals I set myself at work.
When I have a tough day, I suppose I have to remember I haven’t just run a marathon..not to mention 39 before that!
Thanks for the inspiration Rich and good luck with the semi finals!
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