Crowdfunder set up for racer and journalist Mike Booth

Updated | Mike Booth Crowdfunder set up

A crowdfunding page has been set up in order to assist the recovery of Mike Booth after his Isle of Man TT qualifying crash.

‘Boothy’ was set to compete in the Isle of Man TT for the fourth time earlier this year, but a crash on the final day of qualifying resulted in fractures to both tibias, both fibulas, and both femurs. 

Boothy’s right leg, in particular, was severely damaged, and surgeons were left with no choice but to amputate just below the knee.

A crowdfunding campaign was recently set up on Crowdfunder by 44Teeth - for whom Mike is a contributor - in order to assist with Mike’s recovery. 

“After a crash during qualifying at this year's Isle of Man TT races, Boothy suffered significant and life-changing injuries,” the Crowdfunder page reads. “He badly broke both femurs, both tibs and fibs, plus numerous other fractures, but severely shattered his right leg and, unfortunately, the surgeons had no choice but to amputate just below the knee.

“The NHS and staff in Liverpool have done an amazing job in getting Boothy to the point where he's now being readied for a transfer to a rehabilitation hospital closer to home, but it's still a very long road to recovery. We'd like to raise as much as possible in order to get the best possible treatment and technologies for a smoother and faster return to normal life.”

The target for the Crowdfunder campaign is currently set at £30,000, and at the time of writing (8 July 2022) the campaign has raised £21,024 between 774 supporters. There are 27 days left of the campaign. 

If you wish to donate to 44Teeth’s crowdfunding campaign for Boothy, you can check out the campaign’s page, her: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/mike-boothy-booths-rehabilitation

Mike Booth releases official statement after Isle of Man TT accident

Motorcycle racer and fellow journalist Mike Booth has for the first time revealed the extent of the injuries he sustained in an accident during the 2022 Isle of Man TT.

“Boothy” - a contributor to the 44Teeth publication and a racer - was due to compete in his fourth Isle of Man TT when he suffered a crash at Joey’s on the final day of qualifying ahead of race week [3 June].

Though it was known he had suffered leg injuries, it is only now that Booth himself has disclosed the seriousness of his injuries, which included breaks to both femurs and spinal damage, the latter of which he says could prove problematic down the line.

More immediately, however, he revealed doctors have been forced to amputate the right lower leg below the knee.

In a statement posted to 44Teeth [read here], Mike Booth candidly explains his difficulties in coming to terms with the injury, but adds he is determined not to allow it to change his life.

“First of all, I just want to say how humbling it’s been to have received so much love and support over the last few weeks. After I crashed at the TT on the last night of practice, I’ve been inundated with messages from people all over the world and it really has lifted my spirits.

“Secondly, I just want to apologise for not being able to reply to everyone that has sent well wishes whilst I’ve been coping with some of the most difficult days of my life.

“Please don’t take it personally; other than the amazing doctors, nurses and medical staff that have been looking after me, I’ve barely spoken to anyone since the accident. It’s not because I haven’t wanted to, it’s because I haven’t been able to. 

“I had ten trips to theatre in the first two weeks, which was really fucking exhausting. And when I wasn’t in theatre, I was either in too much pain, or on too many drugs to keep my eyes open. It was, and still really is, a case of resting as much as possible.

“But because it’s become clear that so many people are so genuinely concerned, I thought I’d try and give you as much of an update as I can.

“Both femurs were broken in the crash, but they were amongst the first to receive treatment, so I’m quietly confident about those, in the longer term.

“There is also some spinal damage, higher up the back, which could prove problematic, but needs more investigation before they can say for sure.

“The injuries to the lower legs were fairly serious, with some quite nasty bone and soft tissue damage. The left tib and fib have been fixed, and the docs said the operation went really well. Unfortunately, the damage to the right lower leg was too bad, and despite the surgeons’ best efforts, they weren’t able to save it, so one of the trips to theatre was to amputate my right leg, just below the knee.

“Losing my leg has been one of the most difficult things to get my head round and, if I’m being honest, the main reason this update has taken so long to come. It’s hard to explain something like that to others, when you’ve not really come to terms with it yourself.

“But the more I think about it, the more I realise that actually, losing a leg doesn’t have to be that big of a deal, if you don’t want it to be. I’ve seen people run marathons, climb mountains, race bikes and do all sorts of stuff, with prosthetic limbs. Things will be different, but it’s not the end of the world…. and crashing where I did, could (and probably should) have been a lot worse.

“Recovery-wise, it’s definitely not going to be speedy. All of my separate injuries are fairly hefty by themselves, and dealing with them all properly, all at the same time, is tough. The road ahead is going to be long one. And probably full of massive bumps and some seriously hard days. But I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to get as fit as I possibly can, as soon as I possibly can.

“And I’ve got some close family and friends around me that I know will be there for me every painful step of the way. I just really hope, for my future-wife Kaye’s sake, that I’m not going to be too horrendous to live with, when they eventually let me out of hospital.

“And I also know, from the past couple weeks, that I’ve got the entire 44Teeth community on my side. As I said before, your messages and comments really have lifted my spirits, and helped me get through some of the most difficult days of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Boothy xx

Boothy has been a regular on new model motorcycle launches and events for a number of years now, writing for Fast Bikes magazine prior to moving to 44Teeth.

We have shared many miles on the road with ‘Boothy’ and almost as many post-ride beers in the hotel bar.

He’s one of the friendliest people in the industry, and one of the fastest. Everyone here at Visordown sends their very best to our esteemed colleague as he continues his recovery.