Tragedy
During the 1st lockdown Michelle and Simon Woodmore continued to work. Michelle an A&E nurse and Simon a paramedic. At the beginning of April Michelle contracted Covid-19 and for a month suffered at home. Their son James and his sister looked after Michelle because Simon was staying in a hotel near the Nightingale hospital in London in order to continue to help others. In May Michelles health deteriorated and Simon returned home and took her to hospital. She was diagnosed with double pneumonia. Luckily she did make it home and started to recover.
In September 2020, as James finally went back to school and his sister was about to return to university, tragedy struck.
A fit and healthy 51 year old Simon collapsed at home. He was rushed to hospital under a blue light. A scan revealed a clot in his brain that had caused a massive stroke. He was operated on but unfortunately his brain swelled crushing the stem and within 3 days he was certified brain dead.
An inspiration
During his time as a paramedic Simon attended the terror attacks at the Russell Square bus bomb during the 2005 attacks, the London bridge and Borough Market attacks. He was on scene at the Grenfell fire for days and helped the families for months afterwards.
He helped to train troops going out to Sierra Leone for the Ebola outbreak.
As well as serving 30 years in the London Ambulance service he also worked with SARAID, an international search and rescue charity, he was on the ground 24 hours after the Nepal earthquake. He helped set up vaccination clinics in "The Jungle" at Calais and also at the refugee camps in Greece with hands international. He went out to Sierra Leone to help rebuild after the ebola crisis.
At home he volunteered at a health centre for the homeless in London and would put a few hours in at the clinic on his way into work.
After the 2005 terror attacks Simon found faith and decided to train as a vicar with the Church of England. He was ordained in 2016 and this led him to the chaplaincy team at a prison in Bovingdon where he would volunteer 4 days a month.
#BecauseICan
Legacy
Simons son James has decided rather than focus on his loss he will commemorate the life of his father in the best way possible ...
Simon had always been an inspiration to many people but especially to James.
In 2021, as well as studying for his A-Levels James has decided to take on a year of challenges.
The year will culminate in an attempt at the 3 Peaks challenge.
Simon's death left a massive hole in James life and recently he's been struggling.
James supported by a team from London Ambulance Service and SARAID will attempt to climb the 3 highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours.
James has decided to raise funds for SARAID the charity that played a key part in his fathers life. The funds raised will help Simon's legacy to live on.
Get involved
The last few years have seen huge uncertainty. Many of us have suffered loss and isolation.
James story is one of hope rising from tragedy and inspiration rising from loss.
This story is bigger than one family or one organisation. It proves that no matter what life throws at us with help, support and determination we can fight back ...
If you would like to enter a team and climb the 3 peaks with James please get in touch below.
Be a part of Simons story and allow his legacy to be an inspiration and role model to as many people as possible
Or please click on the link below and make a donation.
The target date for the attempt is June 2022
#BecauseIcan
To support and get involved please contact Tim from Sandstone Communications
email: tim@sandstonecommunications.co.uk
mobile: 07840481577
