1.9% of the UK population uses a wheelchair according to the 2011 census. It is estimated by the National Prosthetic and Wheelchair Services that this would equate to 750,000 people. I am one of those people who uses a powered wheelchair, and since 2017 I’ve been raising money for charities by completing a series of wheelchair marathon challenges (wheel power challenge) where I have driven my wheelchair from city to city. I have raised money for Remap, a charity that created a battery system that would allow me to switch between two batteries and increase the life of my wheelchair.
I am now raising money for Whizz-Kid, who work tirelessly to transform the lives of wheelchair users across the UK, supporting them to become confident and independent young adults. I have volunteered for them as a wheelchair skills trainer, supporting the ambassador clubs and Whizz-Kidz camps.
During the pandemic, my wheel power challenges were postponed, but now I am ready for my next marathon currently planned for March 2023: Lands’ End to John O’Groats (#JOGLE). My total trip should be completed in approximately 22 days, beating the current world record set by Mary Laver who completed this route in 2009 in 24 days.
For this specific challenge, I have had my chair upgraded by some very special engineers. During my last challenge from Cheltenham to Silverstone, a Formula One charity, Grid4Good got in touch with the Mercedes Formula One Team who then offered to modify/upgrade my powered wheelchair to help me to complete my next route. This is the first-ever wheelchair to be worked on in this way by a Formula One Team. You can read an article about it here.
Find out more on my JustGiving page.
