A Cowbit man is celebrating five years of raising awareness of the debilitating condition he has and says his charity appeal is getting better every year.
James Wilson White set up Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) on November 18, 2017 as part of the annual month of awareness for the condition.
It’s a nerve problem for which there is no cure and causes pain and affects movement, spreading through the body, initially starting in the legs.
A huge motor-sport fan, the 48-year-old has been persuading drivers and riders to showcase the CPRS Awareness logo on their vehicles.
This year it was displayed on every British Touring Car vehicle while Freddie Hunt, the son of James’s motor-racing hero James Hunt, proudly wore it while competing in a support race at Le Mans.
It’s all from James’s idea five years ago to put a ribbon on a Britcar Endurance car that turned into a ribbon logo he himself funds out of his own pocket.
“It seems to be going stronger and stronger,” he said. “The logos are getting out everywhere and the main problem is drivers contacting me wanting one.
“To get Freddie Hunt was such a massive thing for me as his dad was such a hero.
“It’s brilliant people take it on as it goes in a place where they could make money from sponsors, which is particularly important at this time as many are struggling to race because they can’t get the funding.”
The only issue for the father of two is that due to his worsening condition, he’s able to get to fewer races himself.
“They’ve stopped a lot of the pain relief,” James said. “I’m just having to try and manage it.
“If I know I’m going to be doing something active like going to a race, I know I’m going to be in a lot of pain for days after.
“I feel for my wife Emma who has to put up with my increasingly worse spasms and waking up at 3am where I’m howling like a banshee.
“I’m just thankful for all the support I get.”
