25:1 Challenge SSDT 2022

02/05/2024

**Update**
2nd May 2022 changed my life forever and it’s hard to beleive that it is now 2 years ago.
Lots of you are asking how am I doing so I thought I would give an update on here.
It’s been the toughest two years of my life trying to get mobile again after such severe trauma. It took 14-months to get off the crutches, the hospital has been my second home with lots of appointments and physiotherapy and this is a continuing programme, god bless the NHS and the people that work there. That said I’m walking a bit, back driving a bit, not too far unfortunately for both, but a little progress day by day.
That’s the good news! My consultant says after a period of 2 years trauma is really at the end of its recovery? As I am still in quite considerable pain and discomfort with my pelvis reconstruction and hip replacemnet I have now been seen by a senior orthopaedic professor. He now believes that there could be an infection on the metalwork and more tests to either confirm or dismiss, but the worse case scenario and a distinct possibility is all the metalwork has to come out! This I am still trying to process the thought of starting this journey all over again is tough, but I’ll keep fighting 💪😢
To all of you that have supported and visited me during this last 2 years I thank you. My immediate family Ben, Sophie and my two grandchildren you have been there 💪x, however there is one person that even words cannot express enough? You take those vows “For better, for worse, in sickness and in health?”
Andrea Lamplough jeez you too have been on one hell of a journey? I cannot thank you enough for nursing me in the early days to where we are now and we still have a long way to go. You have been an absolute tower of strength, god I thank you and I love you more than words can say ❤️🥰
The SSDT has been a huge part of my life ever since representing the Army Team in 1983 as a young soldier starting on that first Monday in May on a Fantic 200 wondering what I was about to encounter? All I’ll say if you have never ridden and thinking about riding the SSDT get it done it’s the best trial in the world.
I have been very close to the Army Team over the years and with 3 teams in this year I wish them and the rest of the competitors all the very best for a trouble free week.
Tough week for me I want to follow, but don’t want to if that makes sense and to top it off on the Thursday I’ll be 60 not sure which is worse 😂
Enjoy your week in the Highlands 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏔️👍

09/05/2023

Thank you all for the very kind birthday wishes today I feel humbled to know so many friends in my life. So before I go out and celebrate with a meal with Andrea Lamplough I thought I would give an update on my recovery.
This past week has not been good with the anniversary of my accident and consequent surgery while competing in the SSDT in 2022. Watching the event unfold from the comfort of my armchair this year has also been difficult for me when this has been a big part of my life since my first ride in 1983.
My recovery albeit it slow is happening, but what I thought would be a short journey is very much a long one. I am still struggling with my trauma with ongoing appointments with consultants, physio and further minor surgery may be needed, but they are saying minimum 2 years possibly longer with a hopeful 90% recovery.
So 12 months in I’m only half way to recovery, the good news is I am walking unaided not too far, but considering the state of my right leg, knee and hip is pretty good. The downside any walking then requires a couple of days rest 😡😡
Let’s see what the next few months bring as I try and get a bit more mobile.
Too many people to thank over this year but one that has to be mentioned is my wonderful wife Andrea, who has not only looked after me, but kept her business going too. This girl is a rock xx
Thank you again for the birthday wishes one more year to the BIG 60 and hopefully in a much better place 💪

03/03/2023

If anyone is thinking of buying a TRRS then you might want to pop into Camio Moto. This bike is as good as new
This is my bike and is like new:
* New Tyres Front & Rear
* New Chain & Sorockets
* New Plastics
*New Graphics
*Fully serviced & prepped by Camio
*New battery for Electric Start
This bike wants for nothing and ready to trial
Contact myself or Rich at Camio Moto

31/12/2022

**Injury Update**
December 31st 2022 not the best year of my life and as lots of you have been asking I thought I would give you an update?
Every time I go to the hospital I get reminded of my impatience to get better and the fact that I have severe trauma, broken pelvis, titanium hip and socket, titanium patella and 30-40 screws to hold me together. The only thing that has recovered is my 3 fractured ribs 👍.
I have spent a lot of time this last 8 months at the hospital with many more visits seeing several specialists and physiotherapy with some progress, but not where it should be. Unfortunately in this time I have also contracted quite severe DVT in my leg which has resulted in collapsed valves which has put me on blood thinners , just got to make sure I do not cut myself.
Further investigation on my hip/pelvis it is looking likely that more surgery will be required in 2023 to get me more mobile, this will be a set back, but hopefully recovery will speed up. Timescale for recovery is looking at 2 years but not quite sure of the percentage of recovery they are hoping for 90% I’ll never be fully recovered, but still very early days?
Mobility is still sketchy as I’m still on both crutches, not driving yet never mind even thinking about getting on a bike 😡. 2023 has to be better than this year, but it’s going to be a long haul it’s already been a real tough gig many days spent on the sofa, who watches daytime TV 🤷.
For all the family and friends that have messaged and visited me to keep me motivated I thank you, however the BIGGEST thanks has to go to my wife Andrea. Not only has she kept her business running, but in the early months was a full time carer for me as I was almost bed bound. Andrea you have been a rock all the way through this words are sometimes lost, but our combined love and strength will eventually see an end. I love you xx
So that’s it you all have a fantastic New Year and hopefully I will see more of you in 2023 when I eventually get driving.
Thanks
Mark

07/08/2022

Can’t tell you how much I am missing trials, but recovery albeit slow is going in the right direction. If you are out today keep those feet up and stay hydrated 👍

24/06/2022

Nice letter from SCAA total respect to these guys and girls who make this happen. I would have certainly been in a whole load of trouble if I wasn’t air lifted to Glasgow.
For all those that donated to this challenge I pass on their thanks to you.
Cheers guys
Mark

06/06/2022

**Donations**
A quick update on my progress. After nearly a month in hospital I am back home, long way to go but great to be here.
I managed to raise £5,500 for the challenge I set myself and a huge thanks to all that supported me. It is still eating at me the tragic circumstances of how it ended almost before it started and this is something I fear will live me me for a long time.
I have been in discussion with the Edinburgh & District Motor Club of how to split the donations given and so far this is what had been decided.
£2,000 - will go to the Scottish Charitable Air Ambulance. As the picture shows this is me with the doctors & pilot before being air lifted to Glasgow. The services throughout the UK rely on donations and if anyone is thinking of supporting a charitable organisation then in the sport that we do when something goes horribly wrong these guys will get you out of trouble.
£1,000 - Army Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers Charity). As a veteran I will always support the veterans and this donation will go a long way to helping one of our own when they are struggling
£2,500 - The balance will be given to EDMC. This will be distributed to the local charities and community of Lochaber & District. The club will decide who the beneficiaries are and I will let you know once it has been distributed.
I feel that the donations are going to the right places and once again thank you for your support
Mark

19/05/2022

**Injury Update**
2 weeks 3 days I have been here in Glasgow and just over 2 weeks post operations. The good news is I am getting repatriated tomorrow back to Coventry hospital for further rehabilitation but more to the point closer to Andrea and my family. The staff have been exceptional here, not sure about my ambulance 😂😂
Still a long, long road to recovery with my knee being the worst, but I ain’t a quitter. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and words
Mark

10/05/2022

**NOT QUITE TO PLAN**
Firstly this will be a long message but answer any questions so far. Can I firstly say thank you for all the kind birthday messages normallly it would answer them individually, but some may not know my last weeks trauma.
The 25:1 Challenge was always going to be huge for me, but dogged determination would always win. Loved the bike starting on that Monday morning on the button it’s the way forward first two groups done (6 sections) and on my way to Bradalaig. The next bit is the worst part of my life and I don’t want anyone making up their minds about marshals or organisers or commenting these will be removed, this will be discussed only to assist at a later date for the future of the best trial in the world end of!
Unfortunately myself and a marrshal hit head only to be then flying through the air. Someone once said to me I’m no 6 stone Spaniard this rang true on impact as everything was smarting a bit and boy I was in trouble. Sandy Mack and Jack Horner were first on the scene from Army MCA Trials followed closely by Jeff Horne from the SSDT then an ambulance. The ambulance boys set about me drugging me up to high heaven so that buggered my afternoon ride 🤷, then started cutting my new riding gear.
”Sandy get those boots off they are not having them, Aye I am 😂”
At this stage no real diagnosis apart from I’m a blubbering mess not through the pain, but the huge disappointment of 3 years of planning which was taken away from me.
Air Ambulance Doctors arrived and took over my care with some real gear going in me “Ketamine” jeez I thought I was in an X Box Game it was wild. So now I getting airlifted to Glasgow where a full Trauma Team are waiting.
Right I’m in a bad way and a real bad way. My right thigh has gone 4” through my hip smashing my pelvis, right knee is unrecognisable, 3 broken ribs, severely bruise and damaged arm. The next few hours were trying to get me stable before an operation on Tuesday. I was 11 hours under the operation with 3 surgeons, new hip reconstruction to knee (30 + screws) with a view of a new knee later.
The op I think went well as I have still not moved because another issue with my intestines, today is the first day I have felt human.
This will be a long, long road to recovery but as dogged as I was with this challenge I’ll be as dogged to get recovered.
Too many people to thank from Sandy, Jack, the emergency services, the staff here at Glasgow (wow what a hospital) Paul 'thatchman' Wareing for sorting my vehicle and my family. Last but not least my beautiful wife Andrea Lamplough I put her through hell, but I’m here and we will win 💪. Love you ❤️
I hope I made the club proud and my Son got up onstage to present them with a cheque of over £5,000 this can be stilll added to as one of the beneficiaries has to be the Air Ambulance which had helped the SSDT on numerous occasions
Please please give generously
https://gofund.me/a67b13bd

02/05/2022

**Day 0**
Apologies for not posting yesterday think the lack of sleep finally caught me up. Bike fitted with new tyres and in Park Ferme ready for the off. Thank you once again for the support of all the sponsors, family and friends today it gets real 👍

30/04/2022

**Sponsor and Sponsorship**
Regarding my previous post about the announcement of another sponsor I am grateful to Richard Timperley of Camio Moto in supplying me these fantastic Alpine Stars boots.
I have ridden with Richard Dad Mark for many a year up in Scotland and the latter few years with Richard. Fortunately Richard is close to me this year so he can see if the boots work by keeping them on the footrests? Not sure I can complain if they don’t.
Looking for a Trials Dealer in or near Chesterfield give Rich a call or better still pop in and see his Emporium.
Thanks Rich looking forward to this week👍
So plenty of sponsors which I am humbled could I ask each and every one of you reading this to maybe sponsor me by following the link below
https://gofund.me/83a26f54
Thank you

30/04/2022

Well after a really generous donation yesterday I have reached my target and thank you to all that have donated so far. I have still got some funds coming in so the target will be exceeded.
Still time to donate today, tomorrow and throughout the week this will go to many good charitable organisations that the SSDT support
As previously said if you have enjoyed it so far with the stories then give generously. More to come on this epic challenge 👍

This challenge started back in 2019 then the COVID pandemic hit hard and put this challenge on hold… Mark Lamplough needs your support for SSDT 25:1 Challenge