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


Phoenix firms


IN last month’s Downs Mailwe conducted an investigation into phoenix companies, which is a practice whereby the assets of a failed company are passed on to another company. We would like to state that Phoenix Community, acommu- nity interest company based in Senacre, had no association with this investigation whatsoever.


Charity concert


The Band of the Parachute Regi- ment will performing at Sutton Va- lence School on Thursday, October 15 in aid ofABF The Soldiers' Char- ity. Tickets are £18 from Chris Parkinson on 01580 388402 or email cfgparkinson@tiscali.co.uk.


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


Aack puts man in coma


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 while walking 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 he was found to have a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. It was believed Mr Collins and a


fellow workmate were caught up in a disturbance involving a num- ber of people and police were ap-


Tennis team celebrate lease


MAIDSTONE Tennis Club have been granted a 28-year lease until 2043 for the use of the Giddyhorn Lane tennis courts, which are owned by Maidstone Council. The lease means that the club,


who were established in 1984, will be able to further develop the courts which in turn will benefit the community. Club chairman Richard Dawson


said: “We are delighted with the lease, as it gives us the chance to build new courts and develop the clubhouse further.” He said the club had already


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hosted community events such as Maidstone’s Got Talent as well as supporting the Great British Tennis Weekend. Richard added: “A key outcome


of running these community events has been the attraction of even more members of the public to come up and enjoy playing tennis. “The public are welcome to come


up and give tennis a try. If you want to be part of a growing community visit maidstoneltc.co.uk for membership offers.” The lease to the tennis club


Maidstone South October 2015


Kate Turnham, ofMaidstone Council hands the lease to Keith Rylands of Maidstone Tennis Club,watched by council staff and club members


contains a community schedule that sets out that the club will continue to use the facilities to encourage people of all ages and abilities to participate in tennis and establish links with school sports


clubs to enhance the development of tennis in Maidstone. The club will be working with South East Tennis to deliver community tennis sessions and taster sessions for school children.


pealing for any witnesses to the in- cident to come forward. A man was arrested following


the release of a CCTV image but he was 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.divi- sion.media.appeals@kent.pnn.po- lice.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


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.”


Trustees call


TRUSTEES are being sought for a community charity in Park Wood. Fusion Maidstone, the healthy liv-


ing centre, helps all sectors of the community and the management is seekingnewtrustees to complement the existing ones, to bring passion, drive and experience to the board. The group is looking for individu-


als with a track record of effective performance, strategic thinking and sound judgment. Call Martin or Tracey on 01622 691177 or email martinbullivant@fusionhlc.org.uk or traceyelmore@fusionhlc.org.uk.


Equine centre


A PLANNING application has been lodged to construct an equine education centre at The Griffins, Love Lane, Headcorn. Maidstone Council will determine the scheme.


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