A FATHER-of-two, who had to relearn to walk after an ear infection triggered a rare brain condition, is running to raise money for the NHS staff who saved his life.
Tim Greenwood, of Chadderton, Oldham, a detective with Greater Manchester Police, was left temporarily paralysed two years ago after being diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a blood clot within his brain.
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The uncommon condition, which developed due to an unknown ear infection, caused him to suffer severe headaches in 2019.
After three days of being bed-bound with headaches Mr Greenwood’s wife Samantha called an ambulance, despite his insistence he would be fine and “sleep it off”.
The call saved his life.
Within half an hour of arriving at The Royal Oldham Hospital he had several seizures and bit through his tongue, blocking his airways.
Doctors quickly placed him in an induced coma that lasted four weeks.
Mr Greenwood was later transferred to Salford Royal where he was operated on and given a tracheostomy to aid his breathing. On waking he discovered he couldn’t move his legs or walk.
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He told The Oldham Times: “I started to come round and realised my legs weren’t working, especially my left leg. I was telling my left leg to move, and it just wouldn’t.
“I decided I was getting up and I took one or two steps and just collapsed, and I thought 'I’m knackered here what am I going to do?', and it really hit home. Ever since I’ve been on the road to recovery.”
Of the NHS staff that helped him and his family, he said: “I’ll always appreciate what they’ve done for us. I think about them every day and I think I always will.
“At the end of the day, if it wasn’t for them my kids wouldn’t have a dad.”
To thank NHS staff he is preparing to run 10 miles a day for 30 consecutive days throughout March in a challenge he is calling #300in30.
Mr Greenwood, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday on the day of his final run, is raising money for North Care Charity, which helps the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group deliver care across Oldham, Bury, Rochdale and Salford.
Writing on his JustGiving page, where he has already raised more than £3,500, he said: “I still struggle, still have a clot within the brain and still can’t drive but wanted to do something to repay the wonderful staff within the NHS, not only for what they have done for me and my family but for everything they are doing on a day-to-day basis throughout this pandemic.”
Mr Greenwood will be supported in his challenge by his wife Samantha, who runs Samantha Jane School of Dance in Chadderton, and their two children Isabelle, 13, and Noah, five.
Visit Mr Greenwood’s JustGiving page here.
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