Took place throughout August 2009 (And lasted 8 weeks!)
Popular and well loved Chiropractor and lecturer at the AECC George Rix undertook the biggest challenge of his life this summer, all in the hope of raising money to fund important research at the college. He has recently received his PhD, but George doesn't like having spare time so quickly picked a new chllenge to focus on - he's already planning his next mission!
George has now successfully completed his massive 620km fundraising challenge, to ‘ramble’ along the South Coast of England from Land’s End back to the college campus in Bournemouth all in aid of raising funds for the chiropractic research he is going to undertake in the area of Clinical Neurology.
He walked back to the college on Tuesday, 22nd September, to a champagne reception from college faculty, staff and students. Looking very trim, and healthy he has really taken the challenge in his stride, and impressed everyone with his achievements.
George has so far, managed to raise over £7300 in sponsorship, with generous donations still coming in. He overcame a massive physical and mental challenge throughout the walk, experiencing exhilarating highs, and some disheartening lows.
In preparation for the walk and to achieve a personal challenge, George started the trek 3 weeks early to ramble the entire distance of the South West Coast Path, from Minehead – a total of 630 miles and more than 1014 kilometres. It was at this point George found himself on the steepest learning curve he’s ever experienced.
“I was fully prepared for the physical challenge that was to come with walking all day every day, I expected the aching legs and the blisters, but I had underestimated the amount of mental strength I would need to keep myself going”
The British summer (as we all know) was nowhere near as sunny as we’d all hoped, and George had to experience days where he would walk for miles on his own, in the grey English weather (and the back end of a hurricane) and not see another soul. It was at these points he had to draw a great deal courage and motivation from inside himself to keep going. This wasn’t hard for him to do however, because of the overwhelming amount of support and encouragement he has received throughout the challenge.
“I am genuinely humbled by the support I have received from everyone, it’s made a world of difference to me. Knowing everyone is behind me has kept me focused on my goal and even more determined to achieve this challenge”
Fortunately, the low points were few and far between and were swiftly forgotten when George looked out to sea, and surveyed the stunning natural beauty of the British Coast. The best points of the trip were more motivational, invigorating and exciting than George could have ever hoped for. The scenery was quite simply spectacular, changing around every corner George turned.
On behalf of George, we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that has sponsored him so far. Your generosity will go a long way to help develop research within the profession. If you still haven’t sponsored George, and would like to, you can visit www.justgiving.com/georgerix to show your support.
