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My ‘Wheelchair Challenge’:
I will be doing a coast to coast ‘Wheelchair Challenge’ this May and June to raise money to improve accessibility in the countryside for wheelchair users.
Although I can still ‘hobble’ a few yards with the aid of a stick, all my ‘walking’ is now done from a wheelchair. Like many other people I love being outdoors and watching wildlife. It makes me feel alive. Yet, despite purchasing the best 4-wheel drive wheelchair on the market, many paths suitable for disabled people like myself, are inaccessible, due to stiles, kissing gates and other obstacles. Many paths I could access ‘yesterday’ are today out of bounds. It needn’t be like this! While I can’t change what happens in the wider countryside, working for the RSPB, I can ensure that the 20 superb RSPB Nature Reserves in northern England, are exemplars of accessibility for people with disabilities, mobility problems and for parents with prams!
So, I decided to do a coast to coast ‘Wheelchair Challenge’ to raise money to improve accessibility in the countryside! Here’s what it involves in brief:
- Southport to Hornsea
- 215 miles along the Trans-Pennine Trail
- In the wheelchair
- In just 10 days
- Other wheelchairs and “legs” welcome!
During this year, I will be auditing the accessibility of all RSPB Nature Reserves in northern England and drawing up a priority list of actions for change - from installing wheelchair friendly access points to better views from hides. 100% of the money raised by the ‘Wheelchair Challenge’ will be spent directly on implementing the changes I identify.
Please help me secure better disabled access on these wonderful countryside sites by making a donation on the link below.
www.virginmoneygiving.com/roy215miles
Why not make it your own challenge as well? Join me - perhaps for a day, or even for just a few hours or miles - on a day of your choice. The daily routes and distances are listed below, so come along, it will be fun!!! Drop me a line, or give me a ring on 07710 084415. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
The ‘Wheelchair Challenge’ programme:
Day 1: Sat 24th May - Southport to Childwall, Liverpool - 22.25 miles
Day 2: Sun 25th May - Childwall, Liverpool to Lymm, Warrington - 21.5 miles
Day 3: Mon 26th May - Lymm, Warrington to Stockport - 19.75 miles
Day 4: Tue 27th May - Stockport to Woodhead Reservoir, Peak District - 20.75 miles
Day 5: Wed 28th May - Woodhead Reservoir, Peak District to Wombwell, Barnsley - 21 miles
Day to let the muscles recover! Thu 29th May
Day 6: Fri 30th May - Wombwell, Barnsley to Thorpe in Bain, near Doncaster - 22.75 miles
Day 7: Sat 31st May - Thorpe in Bain, near Doncaster to Selby - 22.5 miles
Day 8: Sun 1st Jun - Selby to Faxfleet on the Humber Estuary - 20 miles
Day 9: Mon 2nd Jun - Faxfleet on the Humber Estuary to Hull - 21.5 miles
Day 10: Tue 3rd Jun - Hull to Hornsea - 15 miles and Finish!!!
Very many thanks for your anticipated support and I look forward to seeing many of you!