CHARGING elephants and capsizing in hippo-filled waters were just two of the dangers overcome by three wheelchair adventurers who have become the first paraplegics to canoe nearly 300km down the Zambezi River.
Shaun Gash, Michelle Moffatt and Liam Morris completed the epic African expedition in just seven days, starting at Chirundu in Zambia and finishing at the Mozambique border, to support the charities Spinal Research and Whizz Kidz.
The intrepid trio spent up to seven hours a day in canoes in searing 40C heat, facing everything from crocodiles to pressure sores. They carried wheelchairs, equipment, tents, and medical supplies in their canoes on the 280km expedition, and the team and support crew stayed every night by the river.
Liam, from Askham-in-Furness, Cumbria, was paralysed from the waist down in a motorcross accident 11 years ago. The instrumentation engineer at BAE Systems in Barrow has not let his disability stop him from pursuing a range of sports – from wheelchair racing to adapted rowing – but nothing prepared him for his first day on the Zambezi.
His canoe capsized in waters where only a month previously a British tourist suffered multiple injuries after being attacked by a hippo. The 35-year-old Lancaster Bulldogs wheelchair basketball player was also charged the following day by an elephant while catheterizing.
Liam.Liam, whose father Darren was with him on the expedition said:
“The first day had been going so well and then suddenly one of the guides in a canoe in front shouted ‘hippo’ and the next thing we struck something and my guide and I were flipped into the water.
“The tents, wheelchair everything went into the water. We had actually struck a tree stump but I didn’t know that at the time so it was pretty scary. I think I also set a land speed record in my wheelchair when the elephant charged!”
Paraplegic amputee Shaun Gash organised the Zambezi Canoe Challenge. Paralysed from the chest down in a car accident, aged just 20, the father-of-three from Morecambe, Lancashire, has completed a series of epic challenges including skydiving, adaptive scuba diving, summiting Kilimanjaro and completing 100KM–plus obstacle courses raising thousands for charity.
Shaun.Shaun, 53, said:
“I’ve done many challenges but this was by far the most life-affirming. I’ll take away new friendships, a host of amazing memories and the knowledge that we have potentially changed the lives of so many people.
“I hope we have shown people that disability is not a barrier to achieving epic things. We’ve applied for a Guinness World Record and are aiming to raise a lot for two great charities.”
The trio are raising vital funds for Spinal Research and Whizz Kidz and also donated equipment to a local orphanage school and hospital in Zambia.
Former critical care nurse Michelle Moffatt’s life changed in an instant when she bent down to pick up a pen on a night shift at Glasgow’s Golden Jubilee Hospital in 2019.
A prolapsed disc had gone into her spinal cord. Post-surgery complications then caused a bleed on her spine leaving the Mum-of-four from Dumbarton paralysed from the waist down.
Michelle said:
Michelle.“It was such an incredible experience which I will never forget. A couple of years ago I was thinking about ending my own life because I couldn’t see how it could be worthwhile.
“So to be able to do this, to help others and to give something back is just mind-blowing. My mindset has completely changed and I hope I’m showing my kids that no matter what challenges you face in life, you do your best and anything is possible.”
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone at any time with devastating consequences. Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research to develop and deliver effective new treatments.
Chief Executive Louisa McGinn said:
“We are just blown away by what Shaun, Michelle and Liam have achieved. It is truly inspirational and we hope that people will support their remarkable efforts by donating.
“Today, for the first time, we are in touching distance of function-restoring treatments for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury and so every single donation brings our vision of curing paralysis a step closer.”
WhizzKidz is the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users. A spokesperson said:
“Shaun, Michelle, Liam and their team’s incredible journey down the Zambezi is a true testament to the power of determination.
“By taking on this challenge, they have not only raised vital funds but also awareness, helping us to provide life-changing mobility equipment to young people across the UK.”
To support Liam, Shaun and Michelle go to their Zambezi Canoe Challenge GoFundMe page.
