We are delighted to announce the official completion of our Next Chapter project – please see our Press Release for full details on our website. But with the closing of one chapter, the beginnings of another. Or several others! We have secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for one a new project titled Turning the Page, which asks “What can historic newspapers tell us about fake news, trolling, and clickbait?” but alongside these larger funded projects there are many smaller planned activities which all contribute to our mission to ‘preserve and educate’.

Our Honorary Secretary of Trustees, Tom Staniford, is leading one such exciting project – a charity cycle ride to benefit us and 3 other charities. But there’s a twist – we’ll let him explain in his own words, in conversation with our Director, Emma Dunn. 

Hello Tom. Thank you for choosing to support DExInst with your planned charity cycle ride. 

Can you tell us a bit more about it? 

Thank you, Emma. I am one of around 20 people worldwide with MDP syndrome, a very rare genetic condition which essentially means I don’t process fat in the normal way. As fat is so important in lots of different cell processes, it affects me in lots of different ways. To cut a long story short (and keep your readers awake!) the bones in my feet are crumbling and they’re becoming a major mobility issue but also a major infection risk. To avoid that risk and also give me some mobility back, we (Doctors and I) have elected to amputate both my legs below the knee. 

As a competitive para-cyclist for many years I relied very heavily on my legs, and you only really get one opportunity to say goodbye to them, so I wanted to give them a good send-off. As it’s such a rare and unusual situation, I also thought it would be a great opportunity to raise some money for charity while doing so!

So I’m organising ‘one last ride’ with my own legs down on the Exeter quayside. A very very short slow family-friendly event with coffee and cake celebrating my legs, and everybody’s mobility! Basically a small party on wheels (or foot!), which everybody is welcome to attend. Any charitable donations are entirely voluntary.

Full details of the event are at: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/goodbye-legs 

What a unique and interesting idea for an event! What made you think of us?

The ‘Goodbye Legs Ride’, as it is now affectionately known, was born from my desire not to be limited by my physical condition. There have been numerous instances over the years when I have not been able to ride my bike – either through injury, overtraining, or issues related to my medical condition. The one great constant in my life has been reading. Whether from a lifelong learning perspective or just simply getting lost in a wonderful world of fantasy worlds and faraway landscapes, literature has shaped me as a person – my outlook, my education, and my emotional bearing. 

If the bicycle has allowed me to explore new lands physically, books allowed me to explore them mentally. I am tremendously proud of being a trustee for DExInst and the work they do preserving our cultural heritage for generations to come, and this is just a really personal and timely way to help support them in that work.

We don’t know if the amputations will heal perfectly, and whether I will be able to use prosthetic limbs easily (as not all amputees are able to), or whether I will be able to cycle again safely. But, one way or another, I will always have books to rely on to lift my spirits and expand my horizons. That should be celebrated.

We’re grateful for your support – but why now?

Naturally we’re doing the event now because the surgery date is looming! But there are several other coinciding factors which make me really want to support DExInst at this time. The charity has just completed the Next Chapter project, making our facilities accessible to all (I’m particularly pleased by this, for obvious reasons!), and has an incredible array of future events planned – all which may need some funding. 

But there are also major social factors; Heritage and Arts organisations have experienced a great deal of turbulence due to the post pandemic economic landscape. On top of this, we are now seeing further planned cuts to numerous benefits – making it even harder for vulnerable people to access and enjoy those Heritage and Arts organisations. The effect of the economic climate impacts the DExInst because in addition to the Social and Arts events we offer supporting current and future generations, we also have a major role in preserving the cultural heritage of Exeter and the South West. And if that isn’t kept safe, that’s it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. There are no refunds. Once we lose those historic resources and scholarship, they’re gone forever. So I was incredibly motivated to try to do my bit in keeping this magical location, and the vital work they do, going. 

We note you are supporting a number of other important charities. Who are they, and why?

The Devon Air Ambulance – they saved my life 20 years ago when they airlifted me to hospital following (you guessed it!) a bike crash. Without them, I wouldn’t be here or have any legs to give up! Despite being a critical part of the region’s Accident & Emergency response, they receive no Government funding.

Exeter UNESCO City of Literature has a similar mission to DExInst in that they are devoted to a programme of events sharing a love of literature and lifelong learning among people of all ages. There are only 53 of these illustrious Cities of Literature acknowledged globally and, incredibly, Exeter is one of them. It is an absolutely flagship honour, recognising the region’s contribution to global literature. (I confess I am also a trustee of this charity. There’s a theme emerging here…)

And finally, Wheels for Wellbeing– who have a wide fleet of non-standard cycles and run sessions so everybody, regardless of physical or mental situation, can experience the joys of cycling in a safe and supportive environment. They’re not a local charity, as they’re based in London but, in addition to their sessions, their campaigning and consultancy work influences much #ActiveTravel and #Accessibility policy nationally. (I’m very happily MarComms Manager for this charity!)

 

How can people support the Goodbye Legs Ride, and the Devon and Exeter Institution?

I’m glad you asked! Come on down to the ride on Sunday 27th April. Even just to say hello and support the event.

Fyndraising is our main focus, of course. So if this story has inspired you to want to help out, donations are gratefully received at http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Goodbye-Legs . We have a big fundraising target, but people of Devon have big hearts. 

Alternatively, you can donate directly to @DExinst on their Donate page. 

Thank you in advance for your donations and for sharing this event. It really does help hugely.

Thanks Tom. We wish you all the very best for the day, and for your upcoming operations and recovery!