Caithness rallies for Mark's Quest
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THE Caithness community is rallying round as a Thurso businessman faces up to the challenge of a lifetime – with the aim of raising enough money to bring home his critically ill little brother.
Picture Box and Hush boutique owner Mark Taylor and his family are in a desperate situation. Around 11 weeks ago Mark’s brother, Matthew, was left at the roadside following a near-fatal motorcycle crash in Bali.
Starting on Sunday, Mark (35) will swim from Dunnet Head to Thurso, climb the three highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours, and then cycle from Derbyshire back to Thurso over the course of the week.
His mammoth challenge is being supported by members of the community. Some are undertaking fundraisers, renowned local fiddler Karen Steven has penned a tune called “Matty’s Appeal” to collect cash, while a local supermarket has broken its own rules to allow a one-off bag back.
Mark’s aim is to bring Matthew (30) back home to the UK before the money runs out. Matthew was found by his fiancée in a Singapore hospital corridor around eight hours after the accident. He had not been treated as he had no travel insurance.
As he is uninsured Matthew has been racking up thousands of pounds in hospital bills.
“His stats have started improving but still to this day he is picking up viruses and he’s just had some scans done which have picked up abscesses on his lungs,” explained Mark.
“We don’t know whether to have these operated on now or to wait until he’s back in the UK. The positive news is that the doctors believe he will be fit enough to fly home soon.
“So we’re in the process of finding an air ambulance which is suitable for his needs. At the moment we’re being quoted around £70,000, which has been about the cheapest.”
However, Matthew has started slipping in and out consciousness more often, a downturn as two weeks ago he was able to acknowledge the doctors and shake their hands, even though he was unable to speak.
Sister Karen, who has been at Matthew’s bedside with their mother in Singapore, has resorted to using the “blink once for yes, twice for no” technique to get responses from Matthew while he is conscious.
Mark said the family, which is based in Derbyshire, are in desperate need of funds to ensure Matthew keeps receiving the care he needs. “Last week we roughly had enough money for another three weeks in hospital, which was about £20,000 to £30,000,” he said.
“It’s very much a human rights issue because what is going to happen if the funds do run out? They will just stop doing the work for him.”
Mark has been training hard as he prepares to embark on the adventure he had coined “the Quest”.
“I’m actually quite excited about it, I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “I’ve been training for triathlons and I’ve been doing some cold-water training in the sea. The cold is going to be a factor. The longer I’m in the water the colder I’m going to get.”
Mark set the pace at the Huntly triathlon on Sunday, cruising into first place with a time of one hour 15 minutes and 33 seconds.
Helping raise funds will be Mark’s training partners, including Lorna Stanger (42), who also competed on Sunday, coming in 34th overall and first in the veteran category.
Lorna added her own plea for local people to support the challenge.
“Matthew is not an unidentified individual that might need this money. He is somebody’s brother, somebody’s fiancé, somebody’s family,” she said. “He needs that money now. He is a real person that has led a good life and the money raised will go directly to help him.”
Lorna and two others, David Spencer and Sandy Christie, will accompany Mark on different parts of the event. “The swim is really going to be the hardest part. Once that’s done then the rest of it is hard but it’s doable,” she said.
Anyone wanting to find out more or donate can visit http:
Alternatively, donations can be arranged through the Picture Box in Grove Lane or by phoning 01847 896900.
Backing for the Quest
1: Thurso mum Claire Hughes persuaded her partner to enter a van competition run by Mercedes-Benz. His entry has now been short-listed and they have decided that if they can gather enough support to win the van they will donate it to Mark’s family to sell. For information on how to add your vote visit the Help for Matthew Taylor Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/177595578974907/?ref=notif¬if_t=group_activity
2: Local fiddler Karen Steven has named a new track “Matty’s Appeal”. Copies of the track are on sale at the Picture Box in Thurso.
3: A group of local women are hitting Thurso this weekend dressed up as the St Trinian’s girls. They hope to fundraise around the pubs in the town.
4: On returning to Caithness (either October 7 or 8) Mark and Lorna are hopeful of meeting up with the rest of the team for the last 20-mile cycle to John O’Groats. Local cyclists are welcome to join them.
5: Tesco has overturned its normal rules and is allowing Team Matty to bag-pack on Saturday and Sunday in the Thurso store.
6: On Saturday, October 8, the team will be on hand at the Co-op in Meadow Lane, Thurso, to help pack bags for the public.
