I wasn’t expecting it to be so holistic…

…’It was a simple walk off with a light pack when me [sic] right knee went ‘clunk clunk’ to the medial side and I went down. I got up, and ‘clunk’ it went again.

‘After some self-diagnosis and filling in my own cascard, the mickey-taking started. And it got better as my old team mates from Kirkby Stephen arrived with a stretcher. They’d been ask to support us with the casualty carry but got me instead. GNASS was tasked and they got me off the hill.

‘An X-ray revealed nowt remarkable. A week later, I was with the orthopaedics in Carlisle. They gave me three of their valuable minutes and diagnosed a sprained MCL with instructions to get in touch with my doctor if it didn’t improve. Meanwhile, rest and anti-inflammatories. I got about on crutches ok with the dog more upset than me as no long walks were going to happen for a while.

‘The swelling reduced and I gained confidence in weight bearing and mobility, progressing to walking with sticks in about three weeks. That still didn’t satisfy the miserable dog.

‘I attended Jubilee House [the Fire Fighters Charity residential centre in Penrith, funded by the Rescue Benevolent Fund] for a week of rehab. The timing was good as I was now moving about okay but still cautious. JH was an excellent experience.

‘I’d wondered how you can do rehab all day for a week, what could they possibly do with you to fill in all that time? Well they did. I wasn’t expecting it to be so holistic: diet and nutrition, men’s health and relaxation. Knowledgable people who were happy to chat and answer questions, a good bunch of folk who created a calm, positive atmosphere and wanted to make you good again. Worth getting injured for!’

Dave ‘Benny’ Benson