The Unlimited Company from Simplyhealth launches first ever Unlimited Great North Wheelchair Event

Five participants will take part in first ever Unlimited Great North Wheelchair Event
Takes place on Saturday 9th September in Newcastle, the day before The Great North Run
Participants are all novices to racing chairs and are aged between 13 and 66
Will be trained by Paralympic coach Rick Hoskins
Event forms part of a campaign to get ‘millions moving’

The Unlimited Company from Simplyhealth and The Great Run Company have launched the first ever Unlimited Great North Wheelchair Event, which will see five wheelchair racing novices take part in a one-mile course.

The Unlimited Great North Wheelchair Event will take place in Newcastle on Saturday 9th September, the day before The Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon.

The Unlimited Company invited people to apply for the chance to be fitted with a racing wheelchair and to have the opportunity to train with Paralympic coach Rick Hoskins before taking part in the one mile event.

This year Simplyhealth became title partner of The Great Run Series and launched its #millionsmoving campaign, which aims to encourage greater participation levels in sport and physical activity.

The five selected to participate in the event are Ian Iriving (66), Richard Heather (50), Lucy Keyworth (17), Rosie Macauley (15) and Megan Bradley (13). They are all based in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

All five have been fitted with racing wheelchairs and have been training at Stockport Harriers Athletics Club, with Paralympic coach, Rick Hoskins.

The five inspiring participants have different reasons for wanting to take part and their progress to using self-propelled wheelchairs as part of an event will be documented over the coming weeks as they’re assisted by expert coaches.

The scheme is part of an overall ambition to inspire people of all ages and abilities to become more active and enjoy better everyday health.

Ian Irving, from Lowton, Greater Manchester, suffers from post-polio syndrome. He believes the event can be a catalyst for breaking down the barriers which disabled people face when trying to access sport and physical activities.

“Disabled people tend to lead more sedentary lifestyles because of their condition or barriers to exercise but well publicised events, such as The Unlimited Great North Wheelchair event, can encourage people to get more active.”

For more information please visit www.millionsmoving.co.uk