WillPower’s fundraising page
Fundraisers: michael gilmer, Ben Scott, Kyle McFarlane, Gareth James, andrew gilmer, Jonny Patterson, Peter Purcell, Chris Wood, Gareth James, Matty McErlane
My page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Willpower
Will’s Story
Will Doggart is an an extraordinary young man with a big heart.
Paralyzed from the chest down at 18 years old he has fought a personal battle to regain his life, set his own personal ambitions and is determined to help others who have found themselves in a similar position.
On the 11th August, 2009, Will broke his neck while on a post A level celebration holiday in Majorca with group of friends from Sullivan Upper School. For days Will fought for his life undergoing critical life saving surgery. After 3 weeks in a Spanish hospital Will was flown home to the Royal Victoria Hospital were he spent 7 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit.
Will remembers those 10 weeks as a period when he had to face the reality that his life had changed forever. “ The 10 weeks in intensive care were a roller coster of emotions. There were times when I thought I was going to die; however I always felt gratitude and respect for the doctors, nurses and support staff that not only saved my life but were beginning to help re-build it.”
After another two weeks in hospital Will was moved to the internationally acclaimed Musgrave Park Hospital for 6 months of intensive rehab, which included physio treatment and 2 hours of occupational therapy a day. During this time Will faced a constant battle to keep his recovery on track.
“In Musgrave the rehab was hard, yes, but it was the waking-up everyday and motivating myself to do it which was the hard part.
Will was released from Musgrave on the 16th March 2010 and returned home to live with his mum, dad and two brothers. “Looking back I was very lucky. I returned home to daily challenges which anyone wouldn’t even think about. It is the simplest of tasks that are the most frustrating, like opening doors, getting in and out of cars, holding objects etc, but i am getting more capable and more confident with myself. I suppose it is just a matter of persistence.”
Since leaving hospital Will has had some significant achievements, the most notable being starting his degree in Counselling at the University of Ulster. If this wasn’t enough in itself, Will made the decision to leave home, and stay at the University halls of residents. “I have been lucky that the University has specialized rooms and equipment which has made it possible for me to regain some independence and having Susie around has been a massive help.”
Perhaps the most amazing thing to emerge from Wills story is his vision to help others. Having been through this experience he said “I realize how important it is to have the support of health professionals, but also the financial support to help with care and the necessary equipment to re-build ones life. I therefore decided to establish the Will Doggart Rehabilitation Trust. The Trust is designed to provide me with essential equipment and care that will assist with my rehabilitation and allow myself to have as normal a life as possible, but I also hope in time to be in a position to help other spinal injury sufferers cope with this truly traumatic change in their life.”
WillPower is born!
A Group of Wills friends formally of Sullivan Upper School decided to try and help make Will’s hopes a reality. WillPower was then founded in October 2010! WillPower aims to raise funds to support those who have suffered from a spinal injury.
The Cycle
Our largest event of 2011 to date; the Cycle! 10 young, foolish men, will circumnagivate Ireland – pausing only for breath and the occasional Guinness. Just over 2 weeks, averaging 100km a day, we are doing something positive while we can – come out and join us along the way if you fancy it! 100% of the money raised through this page will be going to the Back-Up Trust!
