Sir Stevo Timothy, comedian, viral sensation and spinal injury survivor, launches personal cycling challenge in aid of Irish Wheelchair Association during Covid-19 crisis.
Stevo, who is sharing his journey across his channels, uses a wheelchair and crutches following a motorbike crash in 2005. His mother was supported by Irish Wheelchair Association in Galway.
Sir Stevo Timothy, Irish comedian and viral video sensation known as ‘Farmer Michael’ has challenged himself to cycle 5K to raise funds for Irish Wheelchair Association in memory of his mother and to mark 15 years since a motorbike accident changed his life.
Stevo was left with a spinal injury and paraplegia after a motorbike crash in 2005. Following long rehabilitation, he uses crutches and a wheelchair regularly, having weakness in his legs and limited sensation from the chest down.
Cycling 5km will not be easy for Stevo, who hasn’t attempted physical activity of this level since his accident. He is sharing his journey across his hugely popular social media channels.
Sir Stevo Timothy said:
I have very limited sensation, as I was paralysed from the chest down. I use an exercise bike at home, but I don’t go long distances, only around five minutes. I decided to push myself and step out of my comfort zone, ‘excuse the pun’ by cycling an actual bicycle and going around the track for a 5k cycle.
I have no idea if I will be able to achieve this, but I am going to train on my exercise bike and with my trainer and give it a go. I’m doing this because I’m a firm believer in helping others and at this time it is needed more than ever.
I have long interactions with Irish Wheelchair Association, who do great work with people who have physical disabilities.
I want to do it as a tribute to my late mother who attended Irish Wheelchair Association’s services and could not speak of them highly enough. She had dementia and was a long-term wheelchair user.
Stevo’s momentous fundraiser has caught the attention of many people across Ireland and celebrities including Dawn French, Paul McGrath, Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, Liz McClarnon from Atomic Kitten, Joey Barton and Impressionist Al Foran, who have sent him well wishes on Twitter. So far he has raised €15,000, since launching the challenge on Friday 24th April.
Aidan Stacey, Fundraising Director of Irish Wheelchair Association said:
People with physical disabilities are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, as they can have underlying conditions. Many of the people we are supporting are completely reliant on our assisted living service to ensure that they can continue to live safely at home and have everything they need to cope with this lockdown period. Our frontline staff are continuing to work within people’s homes quietly providing that critical personal care and essentially acting as the arms and legs for people who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. We are behind Stevo every pedal of the way on his challenge and are incredibly grateful to him.
Irish Wheelchair Association supports 4,000 people with physical disabilities every week in Ireland across a spectrum of needs. The organisation must raise €3million each year in addition to its HSE funding to ensure services, such as its wheelchair accessible buses, can continue. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, its programme of fundraising events has been suspended and its network of charity shops have closed.
Sir Stevo said:
I know it’s hard with money at the moment, but let’s give it a bash because there are a lot of people out there who need the funds desperately. It will be a challenge, but we can do this.
To support Sir Stevo Timothy’s cycle visit:
To follow, like and share Sir Stevo’s journey follow him on:
Twitter: @sirstevotimothy
YouTube: Sir Stevo Timothy
Facebook: @sirstevotimothyofficial
Instagram:@sirstevotimothyofficial
**Sir Stevo Timothy is available for interviews**
For media queries contact:
Sir Stevo Timothy, 083 859 7154
Meabh Smith, Irish Wheelchair Association, 086 246 3568
Megan Fitzsimons, Irish Wheelchair Association, 085 803 5278
