Farndon roofer left paralyzed at former Al Jamia Al Islamia boarding school, Flintham marks 30th year of injury by fundraising for Mental Health UK and No Falls Foundations

A roofer who became a wellbeing speaker after being left paralysed in a work accident is marking the 30th anniversary of his injury with challenges for charities.

Jason Anker, from Farndon, saw his life change 30 years ago when he was permanently left in a wheelchair.

Jason will be challenging himself during April to a rally day, climbing Mount Snowden and zipwire to raise funds for Mental Health UK and No Falls Foundations.

He said: “I am extremely proud to be an ambassador for the No Falls Foundation, the only work at height charity and as I was involved in a workplace accident from a fall from height the charity means a lot to me personally.

“Mental Health UK is a charity we do work closely with in my other business, Anker and Marsh.

“I have had my own mental health battles over the years and anything we can do to get rid of the stigma around mental health is great. Again, personally, my accident had as much to do with my poor mental health at the time as well as working unsafely.”

He fell from a roof and broke his back while working at the former Al Jamia Al Islamia boarding school, Flintham.

After the accident he turned to drink and drugs and his relationships failed.

This year he stands proud of his accomplishments on building a safe and sober space to inspire and teach others on mental health and work safety.

“I am not looking back with anger and regret but I am going to celebrate where I am today so that’s where the idea of setting some challenges to show it is not about what you can’t do but actually about the things you can do and raising some money for charity along the way,” said Jason.

Since 2009 Jason has hosted talks about working at height mainly on construction sites, however, these evolved to wellbeing as well as work safety.

Jason was made an MBE in 2014 for his services to health and safety in the construction industry.

“The wheelchair it has taken me along time to adapt, It used to represent everything it had taken from me, I did find it really hard and made some poor choices especially in the early years and then secretly battling my anxiety issues and not speaking up about how I was really feeling but since I have brought wellbeing into my daily life five years ago my relationship with my wheelchair has completely changed,” he said.

“My purpose is in life is to live with passion, integrity, gratitude and love and this inspires me to continue sharing my story and journey over the last 30 years and by doing so if I can inspire others to think about working safely but also by bringing wellbeing into their lives then I feel it’s worth the effort.”