Tony Westbrook leads a busy life as a consultant hip and knee surgeon at Nottingham University
Hospitals NHS Trust.
He deals with patients every day who are facing mental health battles relating to their conditions. Tony does not shy away from a challenge and goes above and beyond to help his patients on their road to recovery. To say he’s a kind, caring, humble, dedicated man does not quite do him justice. His wife Debs, son Sam and daughter Lucy are parallel to him.
Tony heard about Ben Smiths 401 marathon challenge through Ben’s parents
Bev and Peter . To hear the struggles Ben had dealt with in his early life inspired Tony to want to actively raise awareness for mental health and raise money for people to be able to get much needed help and support.
‘People thought he was mad, until they heard his story, then they began to understand.
Having endured years of bullying as a child, Ben tried to take his own life. In adulthood, Ben struggled to feel content with the life that was mapped out for him. But having found his passion in running, Ben sold his possessions, escaped his old life and set off on what seemed like an impossible mission - The 401 Challenge.
This is the inspiring journey of a previously lost and broken man who discovered that anything is possible, if only you choose to search for what makes you truly happy’
- 401: The Man Who Ran 401 Marathons in 401 Days and Changed His Life Forever by Ben Smith
Tony has been a huge part of Bev’s life and keeps upto date with Ben’s passionate campaign to raise money for mental health through his own hard work supported by his amazing team at The401Foundation and The401challenge.
“CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM ARE TWO OF THE MAIN BUILDING BLOCKS TO A HAPPY LIFE, SHOULDN’T WE ALL HAVE THE CHANCE TO FIND OUR HAPPY” — BEN SMITH
Tony was also part of the surgical team to treat Billy Monger after his horror accident at near by Donnington Park. Billy was only 17 when he had the accident and the seriousness of his injuries meant the choice was made to amputate his legs.
‘Dr Tony Westbrook, broke the news that he’d lost both his legs. The way Dr Westbrook tells it, it was as if Billy was actually the one who comforted him at that moment.
“I remember him gripping my hand, as much as to say, ‘It’s okay’,” he says’
"Billy was living his dream when unfortunately he sustained the most horrific injuries. To see a young man with life threatening injuries was heartbreaking for all. But he had this incredible belief that he would overcome his disability and drive again"
- Tony Westbrook
Billy has always been an adrenaline junkie when it comes to motorsport and feels most alive when he was behind the wheel.
‘Billy was philosophical from the start.
“The way I see it, I had a three-day snooze, and woke up and my injuries were the way they were. Obviously, you’d expect that if you wake up and your legs aren’t there anymore, you go into a mass panic, but it wasn’t like that for me.” Instead, he thought of just one thing: racing.
“If anyone had said that I couldn’t race again, that’s when I'd have panicked,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong, people were sceptical…”’
These experiences helped Tony to dream up the Peaky Minders and set the gruelling 12 day challenge for them.
The challenge has to be a challenge.
The aim has always been to involve as many people as possible and raise awareness of Mental Health.
And I liked the name!
- Tony Westbrook
You wouldn’t quite believe that Tony didn’t even own a bike a few months ago but here he is with no doubt that all the peaks will be climbed and the long miles cycled and his ambition to raise £50,000 for The401Foundation and HeadsTogether will be met.
To kindly donate to our cause,
If you struggling and need help with your mental health,
تعليقات