Mobility scooter challenge raises £700 for holiday lodge for disabled people

The chair of a Yorkshire charity has raised £700 towards the cost of a holiday lodge for disabled people after completing a successful 24 hour mobility scooter challenge.

Martyn Weller from York travelled from Disability Action Yorkshire’s (DAY) Harrogate headquarters to the charity’s new holiday lodge in Kenwick Park Estate, Louth, Lincolnshire last weekend (June 30 and July 1). 

His 24 hour journey on a mobility scooter highlighted the everyday challenges facing people with disabilities.  Martyn also raised funds towards the £50,000 cost of adapting the stylish lodge to meet the needs of disabled people.  The lodge is one of the few holiday homes in the UK especially adapted to such high standards.

He averaged 5.2mph to complete the 125 mile mobility scooter journey, including a challenging stretch over the Humber Bridge. Hull-based The Mobility Partnership, who provided two mobility scooters for the journey, travelled alongside Martyn in a support vehicle containing 12 spare batteries.

Martyn, who was born with spina bifida, said: “The challenge couldn’t really have gone better, there were no real downsides apart from a huge downpour of rain on a very long stretch of road with no shelter!  There were many high spots including crossing the Humber Bridge and the real sense of achievement when I crossed the finishing line at 3pm on Sunday. I am very grateful to The Mobility Partnership without whom I couldn’t have done it, their support was amazing.  Also many thanks for all of the messages of support I had both before the challenge and over the two days on Twitter – they kept me going!”

Jackie Snape, Chief Executive, Disability Action Yorkshire, said: “I was with Martyn over the whole weekend and was blown away by his determination, good humour and stamina.  He didn’t complain once, not even when he got soaking wet in a flash shower!  I am delighted that he has raised so much money for our Holiday Lodge in Louth, it will be put to very good use”.

Disability Action Yorkshire provides residential care, home care and training for disabled people throughout the region.

For further details on the Holiday Lodge go to www.disabilityholidaysuk.org.uk