Sponsored post: Runner takes on major marathons for her friend Buks Lubbe following his spinal cord injury

Anita Burger dedicated running her first ever race, the 2019 Berlin Marathon, to her friend Johann ‘Buks’ Lubbe following his spinal cord injury.

"During 2003 in the mountains of Montague, South Africa, Buks was involved in a freak 4x4 accident that left him paralysed from the waist down (a T10 spinal cord injury)," Anita explains. "At the time he was 31 years old and extremely active, playing provincial cricket and rugby and loved sports, basically anything to do with physical activities.

"In a moment, the accident changed the world as he knew it; in fact it ceased to exist. BUT through the grace of God, Buks managed to open up other doors. He once again got involved in cycling and marathons. He also got married during this time and has three beautiful step children.

"He believes that science and research into finding a cure for the central nervous system to heal itself is around the corner. There is enough evidence to prove that we are progressing, but the progress is limited due to lack of funding. He remains positive that one day we will be able to assist spinal cord injuries to a full recovery, until such time, he does what is possible and lives life to the fullest. I salute you, Buks."

Anita worked hard preparing for the Berlin Marathon and found that the fundraising was the toughest part of her event experience. She was fundraising for Spinal Research because one day their work will help Buks regain movement and function below the site of his injury. Anita was determined to succeed because of what it means for Buks and other with a spinal cord injury. She is now signing up to do the New York City Marathon to again support Spinal Research.

Spinal Research is the UK's leading charity funding medical research into treatments for the devastating, and life-changing, effects of spinal cord injury on daily living such as breathing, hand movement, sexual function, and bladder and bowel control.

If you’d like to follow in Anita’s footsteps and run the Berlin Marathon or join her in running the New York City Marathon, visit the charity's website for more information or get in touch with the events team.

spinal-research.org/berlin-marathon
spinal-research.org/new-york-marathon

[email protected]
020 7653 8935

Click here to view the Spinal Research listing on our 'run for charity' page.