Frank goes FAST for Brain Injury Matters

Stroke survivor and founder of Belfast Academy of Marketing, Frank McKee, is celebrating ten years post-stroke with a sponsored cycle for Brain Injury Matters (NI).

On Friday 30 August, Frank will take on the incredible challenge of cycling from the CS Lewis Square, along the Connswater Greenway to Victoria Park where he will complete as many laps of the park as possible to raise vital funds for the Brain Injury Matters – Pedal Power programme.

The amount raised will provide much needed funds specifically for Pedal Power, for the Physiotherapists from Brain Injury Matters who facilitate it, the cycling instructors from Sustrans who deliver national standard cycle training and the training of volunteers to be buddy riders and maybe even the purchase of another trike. It will support Brain Injury Matters as they work with Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials, Race Directors and Triathlon Clubs to ensure people like Frank can take part in these mainstream Triathlon Ireland National Series Duathlons and Triathlons. This will pave the way for other people like Frank to get involved.

The ‘Frank Goes FAST’ sponsored cycle will mark ten years since Frank was told he would never walk or talk again after a life-changing brain injury acquired as the result of a massive stroke, aged just 47, in September 2014. Having managed to defy all expectations by learning to walk independently and communicate with limited words, he was also able to start driving again and more recently, cycle on a recumbent bike and take part in a relay team in the 2024 Triathlon Ireland SERE Lisburn Triathlon Club National Series Duathlon, thanks to Brain Injury Matters.

An educator by trade, Frank epitomises the value of lifelong learning, which motivated him to quickly work on his recovery and re-learning basic skills from scratch. This mindset also played a big part in encouraging him to not only work on his mobility and communication but to start a new hobby and join Brain Injury Matters – Pedal Power. After a long time on the waiting list, due to funding constraints, Frank was finally able to embark on his first cycle in November 2023, and he’s never looked back. His new-found hobby gave him a new lease of life, re-igniting his motivation for continued recovery, even after nearly ten years. In March 2024 as part of his training for the Frank Goes FAST fundraiser, he was supported to take part in the SERE Lisburn Triathlon Club Duathlon, his first ever competitive event.

Increased strength, faster walking, and the ability to jump again are just some of the improvements Frank has already seen thanks to the amazing help of the Brain Injury Matters Physiotherapists and volunteers who support Pedal Power. Brain Injury Matters (NI) was established in 2013 as an independent regional third sector organisation to support, empower and advocate for people and their families affected by acquired brain injury (ABI). The Pedal Power programme was created to train and support participants to engage in cycling, to take part in triathlon events, to then create the potential for participants to take their rightful place in local cycling or triathlon clubs. With a range of participants, all with different causes of ABI, meeting every Friday morning at CS Lewis Square for a cycle, the benefits go far beyond improved recovery and physical mobility. Reduced isolation and exclusion as well as improved integration mean this group is now a very important part of the members’ lives.

As Principal of Belfast Academy of Marketing, Frank chose Brain Injury Matters as their official charity partner, planning to give back to the organisation by embarking on this challenge to raise much needed funds specifically for the Pedal Power programme. Commenting on the partnership and Frank’s fundraiser, Dr Jonathan McCrea, Clinical Lead, Brain Injury Matters said: ‘We are so pleased to be partnering with Frank and Belfast Academy of Marketing on this fundraiser. It has been truly incredible to see his improvement in cycling over the past few months and the pure joy on his face when he crossed the finish line at the SERE Duathlon. We’re really looking forward to seeing him complete this challenge in August and we are all immensely proud of him!.’

Frank founded Belfast Academy of Marketing in 2012, just two years before being forced to retire as a tutor and examiner because of his brain injury. He set up the accredited study centre to deliver professional marketing qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing as well as specialised and bespoke marketing training and workshops. Supported by his daughter, Danielle Spackman, and a specialist team of associates, the academy has gone from strength to strength delivering training and qualifications to hundreds of students.

Supporters are encouraged to join Frank in his fundraising efforts by helping in whatever way they can, whether that’s by donating or simply sharing the link to reach as many people as possible.