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Harrogate gets going for young disabled drivers
Feb 17th
If you are young, disabled and keen to get behind the wheel, or newly disabled and want to research adapted motoring options, Get Going Live! is just for you.
If you are young, disabled and keen to get behind the wheel, or newly disabled and want to research adapted motoring options, Get Going Live! is just for you. This exciting one-day event will help you start driving and plan for your first car.
Taking place at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate on Saturday 28th July, Get Going Live! is organised by two national disability charities, Disabled Motoring UK and Mobility Choice, the team behind the Mobility Roadshow. The William Merritt Mobility Centre in Leeds is also playing its part in delivering this important service to novice disabled drivers.
Young people with disabilities can gain a driving licence at 16, a year ahead of those who are not disabled. That’s great news, but where do you start?
At this free one-day event you can test drive adapted vehicles and get expert advice from organisations and companies with a wealth of experience.
You must be aged 14 to test drive one of the adapted vehicles on a safe on-site road system, accompanied at all times by a professional driver. Younger prospective learners are welcome to practise transferring, familiarise themselves with controls and may also travel as a passenger with an instructor.
Around the driving there is a fun action-packed programme of activities, still being finalised, but already confirmed is a 7m climbing wall with over 20 routes to the top.
Last year’s inaugural Get Going Live! day at Donington Park was voted ‘simply fantastic’ by participants. “The beaming smile just says it all!” said Lyn Williams of her son Jordan, aged just 14, on his return from test driving a Chrysler Voyager from his wheelchair. “This will give him the confidence to get his licence when he’s eligible and go on to gain his independence – this is a fantastic event to give young people such a thrilling experience.”
“It was awesome – I can’t wait to be 16!” said Jordan.
Further dates and venues for Get Going Live! 2012 to be announced very soon – check out www.getgoingnow.org for the latest news and to register, or call 01508 489 449.
Mobility Roadshow Ambassador Jack to carry Olympic Flame
Jan 26th
Mobility Roadshow Ambassador Jack to carry Olympic Flame
Mobility Choice, the charity that organises the Mobility Roadshow is delighted that one of its Ambassadors, 20 year old Jack Pegram, has been selected as an Olympic Torchbearer. Jack will be carrying the Olympic Flame in East London on Sunday 22nd July, five days before the Opening Ceremony.
“We congratulate Jack on his selection, especially as we believe there were on average 11 nominations for each Torchbearer place and the selection panels faced some very tough decisions,” said Jacqui Jones, Executive Director, Mobility Choice. “We first met Jack in 2006 when his bright idea for an automatic wheel cleaner won the 12 to 14 years category in the first year of our national schools Ready Willing & Mobile competition. He later joined our panel of competition judges and has supported the Mobility Roadshow every since.”
Jack is a full-time wheelchair user. He is a second year student at Brunel University studying Sports Science and was awarded a sports scholarship. It was essential to his independence that he was able to drive. His first time behind the wheel was during a visit to the Mobility Roadshow where he test drove three different models and spoke with a variety of specialists about the best adaptations to meet his particular needs. Three driving years later he is about to move on to his second vehicle.
A keen sportsman, Jack has represented England in the Wheelchair Football World Cup and also played badminton for England. His focus now is table tennis. He has played for GB and is a current member of the GB Development Squad. He won Silver in last year’s World Junior Championships in Dubai, competed in the British Open and plays in the first team for his university in the British Universities League.
The Mobility Roadshow 2012 takes place on 21st 22nd and 23rd June at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. For more information and to register your interest in advance visit www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk or call 0845 241 0390.
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