Islington Cycling Club has raised £20,000 for Spinal Research after one of its members was paralysed below the shoulders in a cycling accident.

James “Gino” Murphy was riding with fellow club members in February 2024 when he came off his bike and hit a kerb headfirst, seriously damaging his spinal cord. He was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital before being transferred to the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Stanmore.

The club had already raised £18,000 and aimed to close the gap by offering a restored vintage 1979 Alan Super Record Road bike in return for a £2,000 donation to Spinal Research. Camden law firm Osbornes Law donated the sum and gifted the bike back so the club can sell it to raise further funds.

Gino said: “I am delighted that we have succeeded in meeting our target of raising £20,000 for vital research into curing paralysis. For those of us whose lives have been devastated by the abominable impacts of spinal cord injury, this gives hope that there may be a way to claim back some autonomy and independence.”

David Mason, who was riding with Gino when the accident happened and co-ordinated the fundraising campaign, said: “I’m still shocked by how my friend’s life was transformed in an instant. Gino’s awful accident shows why every cyclist should care about research into repairing spinal injuries, and it’s been heartwarming to see how his friends and fellow club members have stepped up to raise so much money in his name.”

Club members raised money through a series of sponsored activities, including a 2,400km solo ride from London to Lisbon, the London-Edinburgh-London audax, a half-marathon, ICC’s annual sportive The Great Escape, club rides to Brighton and Cambridge, and a comedy evening with Cycling Man Kathy Maniura.

Sam Collard, head of cycling accident claims at Osbornes Law, said: “We were moved by Gino’s story and are delighted to have helped Islington Cycling Club reach its fundraising target for Spinal Research. We see too many people whose lives have been changed by cycling injuries, and research into spinal cord repair is crucial in giving people hope for the future.”

Gino added: “When most of your body doesn’t function anymore, it’s incredibly tough to suddenly become that dependent and vulnerable. It’s been hard for me but also so hard for my wife and children.

“But one of the things I am learning to do is to enjoy each moment that life presents with the amazing support of family and ICC friends. They have helped me make sense of and start to come to terms with where I am now. I’ve been completely overwhelmed by their friendship.”

Suzanne Redding, Head of Audience & Communications at Spinal Research, said: “What an achievement. We are so grateful to Islington Cycling Club for their amazing efforts in raising £20,000 for Spinal Research – every pound takes us closer to our goal of curing paralysis.

“Breakthrough therapies are nearing clinical reality, but we urgently need funds to get the most promising of these from the labs to the people, like Gino, who need them. This generous donation matters.”

The restored Alan Super Record bike is still available, with proceeds going to Spinal Research. The bike was donated by ICC member Nick Finley and restored by Jeremy Antscherl, a consultant facial surgeon who rebuilds bikes in his spare time.

Jeremy said: “This historic bike is a real piece of Italian sculpture and whoever buys it will know their money is going to a cause that should be close to every cyclist’s heart.”

Vintage bike enthusiasts can contact Jeremy at chair@islington.cc to ask questions and arrange to try the bike. Donations should be made to Spinal Research in person when collecting it.

Members of the public can donate to the Friends of Gino campaign which is still live.