Daughter's pride for Hastings dad told he would never walk again after accident

The daughter of a Hastings man who defied the odds by fully recovering from an accident that left him paralysed has paid tribute to her “go-getter” father after finding an Observer article detailing the accident in 1988.
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Mark Whitelaw was just 24 when he was hurt working at the Gypsum mines at Mountfield. The cable of his light caught on a bucket and the conveyor belt dragged him along the ropeway, crushing him against a ramp.

He was taken to hospital in Hastings for treatment for a fractured pelvis, damaged nerves and paralysis of the legs.

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Told that he would never walk again, he amazed doctors by making a full recovery and continuing to raise thousands for charity by running marathons.

Mark Whitelaw and his daughter Roxanne Bennett. She was inspired to pay tribute to her father after finding out a cutting from the Observer in 1988 detailing his work place accident.Mark Whitelaw and his daughter Roxanne Bennett. She was inspired to pay tribute to her father after finding out a cutting from the Observer in 1988 detailing his work place accident.
Mark Whitelaw and his daughter Roxanne Bennett. She was inspired to pay tribute to her father after finding out a cutting from the Observer in 1988 detailing his work place accident.

Now, 34 years later, his daughter Roxanne Bennett has paid tribute to her father. She was inspired to after finding out an old cutting which detailed the accident and included a picture of her aged two with her father.

She said: “I’m extremely proud of Dad, he’s a go-getter. He’s also very stubborn as when the doctors told him he would never walk again he refused to believe it and proved them wrong.

“He was involved in an accident in the British Gypsum Mines when I was two years old and became confined to a wheel chair, and was told by the doctors that he would never walk again.

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“Defying the odds, he started to train and completed the Hastings Half Marathon in his wheelchair raising money for Cancer Research.

Mark Whitelaw was just 24 when he was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Now, more than 30 years later, his daughter has paid tribute to his drive and determination as he overcame the odds to continue running in charity marathons.Mark Whitelaw was just 24 when he was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Now, more than 30 years later, his daughter has paid tribute to his drive and determination as he overcame the odds to continue running in charity marathons.
Mark Whitelaw was just 24 when he was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Now, more than 30 years later, his daughter has paid tribute to his drive and determination as he overcame the odds to continue running in charity marathons.

“He does a lot of charity still and is always raising money for several charities. He runs a 5k parkrun every Saturday whether it be in Hastings, Basingstoke where we moved in 1998, or Belfast.

“Dad had a five mile run in Hastings on Sunday (May 15) which he did with my 16-year-old son Maz.

“Re-reading my Dad’s story in the Observer made me more proud of him than ever before. He is an amazing Dad and Grandad to seven grandkids, and is always very supportive and loving of his family. He’s constantly on the go, a big kid who makes us all laugh.

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“He refuses to be told that he ‘can’t do’ and his motivation is admirable. Dad deserves credit and to be recognised for his achievements.”

A cutting from an Observer article in 1988 detailing Mark Whitelaw's work accident. His daughter, Roxanne Bennett, was inspired to pay tribute to her father after re-reading the article.A cutting from an Observer article in 1988 detailing Mark Whitelaw's work accident. His daughter, Roxanne Bennett, was inspired to pay tribute to her father after re-reading the article.
A cutting from an Observer article in 1988 detailing Mark Whitelaw's work accident. His daughter, Roxanne Bennett, was inspired to pay tribute to her father after re-reading the article.

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