Latest News

My mate Groover

April 24, 2008 10:08 am
26 comments

Hi Everyone,

My training is going great. I am getting stronger everyday on the bike, in the pool, and structurally. But my update will have to wait. I just got this email from a good friend of mine, and I had to share it with you. I hope it inspires some of you to take part and help Eddie (aka; Groover) reach his goals.

“Hi friends some of you are up to date and some not. So here it is briefly. I have attached my story for you too. Tah all.

I am doing a huge Triathlon – Ironman Triathlon in October on Saturday the 18th around Newcastle and the valley.

It’s called; Eddie Cross’ 14Hour Day for Disability.

I am planning on raising $20,000 for Leapfrog Ability the major beneficiary and also some funds will go to the Brain Injury Service Unit.

There has been a promo video done already that some of you have seen and a good list of sponsors onboard.

Kloster Ford has donated a car for us to use for me getting around in for training etc. Basically people will be sponsored to Swim, Ride some, Run some and I will be completing the whole 14hours with company along the way.

The website http://www.14hourdayfordisability.org.au will be completed in 11 days time too.

I am resting today.

Hope you are all good. My training diary page is up http://www.14hourdayfordisability.org.au shows training done from January. Eddie.

Press Release

Eddie Cross’ 14 Hour Day for Disability – Eddie’s Story

Help Eddie to raise $200,000 to help people with a disability.

Now he is giving something back.

Eddie Cross was and is still one of Newcastle’s top creative photographers. He has worked with Leapfrog Ability doing photography for their brochures and website over the years and he unfortunately ended up with a disability himself.

Whilst playing AFL on Mothers’ Day in May 2006, Eddie was deliberately struck in the head, was knocked unconscious and he subsequently acquired a brain injury.

Eddie, some three weeks prior to this injury, became a 5 time finisher of the gruelling Australian Ironman Triathlon. The Ironman involves completing a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and 42.2 km marathon run. Eddie’s times ranged from 10.5 to 12 hours.

Eddie’s life changed instantly and forever. He was now dependent on others. His health and career were vanishing before his eyes. His emotions reeled. Eddie went from being happy and positive, then, after the injury, became black and despairing. His mind and emotions were scrambled and he was unable to walk or talk effectively. This left a lot of family and friends very concerned for his welfare.

Eddie faced a long road to recovery. This involved seven months at the Hunter Brain Injury Service Unit combined with overwhelming emotional and financial support from Leapfrog Ability.

Eddie Cross is no quitter. And just like the dedication and determination he put into every aspect of his life, he applied the same positive sense of purpose to his recovery.

And what a truly remarkable recovery Eddie has made. So much so that on Saturday 18th October 2008 Eddie will be doing his own Ironman Triathlon for disability to pay back those organizations and people who helped him make it back to the top.

Eddie needs your support and donations to realise this huge effort. You, your friends, your employer all need to get behind Eddie as he prepares for and then completes his 14 hour day for disability.

Watch this space and witness Eddie’s progress to the big day.

The back story of my friendship with Groover is a great Ironman story, and typical of the experiences I have had at these events, and still do.

It was the carbo or awards night of one of my first Ironman races in Forster/Tuncurry (the old Australia IM course). I was only 20 or 21, my parents were with me, and we sat at a random table near a couple of friends but opposite and next to people we didn’t know. It wasn’t long before myself (probably mum too) were talking to Edward, and instantly struck up a friendship which grew at each race we were both at. We became good mates and I stayed at his place and got the royal tour of “Newcastle for triathletes” when I rode up there one weekend for a race. Groover is a great mate, and I’m very happy for that chance encounter which helped me meet such a strong, inspiring character.

Another note; About 7 months after Edwards accident I experienced up close the trauma of a head injury when one of my best mates was knocked over from a surprise punch and his head hit a concrete gutter as he fell unconsciously. Luckily he(and I say luckily because if the surgeon had gone home before the incident my friend would be dead) spent a week a coma with half his skull removed, and another 3 weeks in hospital and rehab centers, and another 2 months still without his skull. And although he was closer to death, his recovery was quicker than Edwards.

Eddie has persevered through incredible barriers and hardships to this day. His outlook on life and his strength of character is a reflection on how highly he regards and treasures his friends, and in return, reflects how his friends feel about him.

take care