News


downsmail.co.uk Cyclist Kate’s recovery bale


TWO years ago, Kate Bosley’s life was turned upside down by a cycling accident, which left her with a serious head injury.


The mother-of fourwas left fight-


ing for her life and unable to con- tinue in her role as chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice. Now Kate, from Weavering


Street, Weavering, has written her story in a book which she hopes will inspire other head injury pa- tients and help them to come to terms with their new – albeit dif- ferent – life. “Recycling me: back on the bike”


is the story of how Kate has pieced back together the fragments of her former life and learned new ways of working and living. She said: “My biggest problem


was social isolation. I had a busy and fulfilling life before the accident.My four children and foster child kept me busy. I loved cycling and was passionate about my career. “I suddenly went from having a


very nice job that I loved to having nothing. I loved what I did and missed it passionately. I couldn’t work, I couldn’t drive and, because


Town centre


assaults plea A MAN was left with a serious head injury after two attacks on men in the town centre on a Satur- day night. Police were called at 3.50am to


Week Street, Maidstone, where a 50- year-old man had been punched. It is believed the manalso hit his head when he fell. He was taken to hos- pital with a serious head injury. The other victim, a 25-year-old


man, reported having a road sign thrown at him. He also suffered fa- cial and back injuries, which were not thought to be serious. Officers want to hear from any-


one who witnessed the assaults on Saturday, September 5, or with in- formation that will assist inquiries. DI Neil Kimber said: “The vic-


tims were walking in the direction of the High Street when these as- saults occurred andwe are making a number of enquiries to identify two males who we believe to be about 17 or 18 years old.” Both of the alleged attackerswere


wearing dark clothing. One had a white T-shirt underneath. A man was arrested in connec-


tion with the incident after police released CCTV pictures of a man they wanted to question, but he was later released without charge. Anyone who can help should call


01622 604100, quoting ref 05-0219, email west.division.media.ap- peals@kent.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


10 After an initial assessment, Kate


was simply asked to travel to the RBLI by bus two days a week, say hello to the staff, and travel home again.


Gradually, she was given differ-


ent tasks whichwere achievable. With her old “can do” spirit


firmly back, Kate decided to write the book for two main reasons – firstly for personal therapy, but sec- ondly as inspiration to other people recovering from trauma, particu- larly head injuries. She said: “There’s no getting


I have lost a quarter of my visual field, I couldn’t even cycle.” Katewas a fitness fanatic prior to


her accident and regularly com- peted in time trials. She took the first tentative steps


on her road to recovery by volun- teering with the Royal British Le- gion Industries at Aylesford – but even that wasn’t without its chal- lenges.


away from it; it is hideous. But there is a future. It is a different fu- ture, but there is still a good life to be had.” Kate has had incredible support


from her husband and children, who have all contributed to the book. Indeed, itwas daughter Han- nah who hit on the title. Husband John also recently bought a tandem, which has en- abled Kate to get back in the saddle


and allowed them to enjoy a sum- mer cycling holiday in the Alps – something neither of them would have dared dream of during the long, dark days when Kate lay on a ventilator in hospital. Although her memory is badly scarred, she continues to recover. Volunteering with the RBLI has helped her to combat the social iso- lation she felt, to meet people and be part of a team, and to develop and re-learn skills. She has also started volunteering


as a fitness instructor at the Village Hotel, working with other people who have disabilities. Kate’s book is available to down-


load on Kindle and has already sold almost 100 copies. She said: “I didn’t set out to be a best-selling author, but Iwanted to tell my story to help other people facing the same difficulties and to inspire them. When you have lost everything, you have to find rea- sons to carry on.”


Ma hopes to bring youth to council


FANT has a new councillor: 23- year old Matt Boughton. A former pupil of Oakwood


Park Grammar School, Matt hung on to the seat for the Con- servatives, following the death of Cllr Alistair Black. Matt studied politics at the


University of Sussex after leav- ing school, graduating with a 2:1 last year. He now works for Tom Tu- gendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, as a case worker, help- ing residents with their prob- lems and issues.


He joined the Conservative


Party at the age of 17 and has been active locally and during his time at uni- versity. He said: “We have too many retired people and not enough people (of any party) representing


younger residents. Fant has one of the youngest populations in Maidstone – including many pri- vate renters and those struggling to buy/rent their own home.As a


young person making a start in life I know and understand these issues and I would like to help make a difference.” Matt, who lives in Monkdown,


was one of six candidates con- testing the seat and beat his nearest rival, Lib Dem landlady of theWalnut Tree pub Rosaline Janko, by 53 votes, with 477 votes of support. Atotal of 1,757 voteswere cast,


of which the Lib Dems received 424, Labour received 352, the Green party 249, Ukip 180 and Independent Mike Hogg 75.


Aack puts man in coma Charity quiz


A 50-YEAR-OLD Maidstone man was taken to hospital with life- threatening head injuries after an assault in the town centre. Richard (Rick) Collins was the


victim of an alleged unprovoked attack whilewalking with a 25-year old work colleague along the High Street in the early hours of Sunday, September 5. Mr Collins, who lives with his partner in Barming, was knocked unconscious in the incident, close to the pedestrian crossing, and taken to Maidstone Hospital, where hewas found to have a frac- tured skull and bleeding on the brain. It is believed Mr Collins and a fel-


low workmatewere caught up in a disturbance involving a number of


Maidstone Town October 2015


people and police are still appeal- ing for any witnesses to the inci- dent to come forward. A man was arrested following


the release of a CCTV image but later released without charge. Mr Collins was kept in an in-


duced coma for several days fol- lowing the assault but recovered unexpectedly well and is now at home. However, he has a long re- covery ahead. Anyone who witnessed the inci-


dent and has not already spoken to police is asked to call the appeal line on 01622 604100 quoting refer- ence YY/014714/15. Alternatively email west.division.media.ap- peals@kent.pnn.police.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


MAIDSTONE Macmillan fund- raising group is hosting a quiz night at the Grove Green Commu- nity Hall on Saturday, October 3. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm


start. Admission is £5 per person for teams of up to eight. Guests should bring their own drinks and snacks. There will also be a raffle and an auction. To book a table, call Helene Poursain on 07764503483 or hpoursain@macmillan.org.uk


Community fair


THE first Fant community fair takes place on October 24 at St Michael’s Church Hall. Doors open for stallholders at 9.30am with activities taking place from 10am until noon. For details, contact alex.turner103@gmail.com or phone 01622 686786.


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