Paul Spence: 'My biggest challenge will mark end of my recovery'

HE WAS left with a serious brain injury after being viciously assaulted in an unprovoked attack. Doctors warned Paul Spence it would be at least three years before he would be make a full recovery, after he was punched to the floor in a bar on Easter Sunday in 2012.

Now, the 34-year-old is counting down the final weeks to the three-year anniversary of the assault with a week-on-week charity challenge.

To celebrate the end of his long recovery, Mr Spence has launched a 26-week physical challenge, which will culminate in a marathon next Easter.

Over the next 26 weeks, he will swim, cycle, row and walk – increasing the distance by a mile a week.

Week one saw Mr Spence swim a mile, this week he will complete a two-mile row, and next week he will run for three miles.

Week on week, Mr Spence will then complete an additional mile of exercise, either swimming, cycling, running or walking – or a mixture of them all.

The father-of-one, of west Hull, said health and fitness has played a massive part in his recovery.

He said: "The end of the challenge will mark three years since the attack.

"I always do my fundraising on Easter Sunday. But I want it to mark my recovery, to be a celebration.

"Health and fitness has been instrumental in my recovery. It has given me something to focus on.

"This is a massive challenge for me, my biggest challenge to date, that will mark the end of my brain recovery."

All money raised will be donated to the neurological ward at Hull Royal Infirmary, where he spent four weeks recovering. Mr Spence said: "My neuropsychologist told me it would take two to three years to recover from the haemorrhage."

Although the challenge will mark the end of Mr Spence's recovery, it does not necessarily mean he will make a full recovery. He has a poor memory and his concentration is impaired.

He is still undergoing neuropsychology rehabilitation at Castle Hill Hospital.

Mr Spence said: "I never believed it could take that long to recover.

"There were plenty of times I thought I would not get any better.

"I'll never full recover, but I'm pleased to say I am definitely still seeing improvements.

"Originally, I was lost completely. Two years ago, I couldn't leave the house alone. I was so confused, so messed up.

"But slowly I've learned to do more and more."

It is not the first time Mr Spence has physically challenged himself to raise money for charity.

On the first anniversary of his attack he completed a half-marathon. With the help of family and friends, he was able to raise £17,000 for the neurological ward.

On the second anniversary of the attack, earlier this year, he held a 10k run, with 90 runners take part, raising more than £4,000 for the Life For A Kid, which helps fund life-changing operations and equipment for sick children.

Mr Spence's marathon will start at Hull Royal Infirmary, next Easter Sunday, on April 5 to finish where he grew up, in Bilton.

Mr Spence said: "My friends and family will run the last 10k with me and also get sponsored themselves to raise more money.

"Those who have been there for me over the years will be there to really push me on to finish."

Mr Spence's attacker, judo coach Stephen Shepherd, of Sutton, was jailed for 16 months in February last year.

Paul Spence is looking for businesses to sponsor his 26-week charity challenge.

All money raised will be donated to the neurological ward at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Mr Spence wants to raise as much money as possible to help the ward raise money to buy a NIM Eclipse Spinal System machine.

This machine has tools to make holes through the spine to put in screws and avoid the spinal cord and nerves.

It also allows direct monitoring of the spinal cord with stimulating electrodes in the scalp and recording electrodes in the legs.

Doctors can also use the machine to monitor the spinal cord function while removing tumours pressing on the surface of the cord or from the spinal cord itself, minimising the risk of injury.

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