Harry Woodford is a developer, member of London’s WeWork Tower Bridge, and soon-to-be marathoner. But there’s a twist: Woodford is taking on the 50-mile trek from London to Brighton on crutches. He’s calling it the Hop-Athlon, all done in the name of raising awareness for the struggles of people with disabilities.
After a car accident in 2012, Woodford faced multiple surgeries, including four on his knee. His severe disabilities led to years on and off crutches, from four months to over a year.
“I’ve chosen this long distance because I want it to resemble the long journey I’ve had to recovery,” Woodford says. “I’m doing it on crutches in honor of people that need to use specialized equipment in their everyday lives.”
Going from a normal 20-year-old to someone with crippling physical disabilities was jarring to Woodford in many of the obvious ways. Mundane tasks became unachievable feats. More sobering was how people looked at and acted differently towards him. During this experience, Woodford not only empathized more with people with disabilities, he knew he had to do something to make their lives a little easier. “I can’t fix people like a surgeon, but I can hop, I can hop really really well,” he says.
Woodford started his Hop-Athlon September 30, and he estimates it will take him two to three days to complete. His fundraising efforts will benefit two nonprofits: Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children and Scope, both aiming to improve the lives of children with disabilities.
