Tower Hamlets Project - PAYP paralympic sports Day

Zoe Ward and her team (DiJe and Tahmina) put on a really fantastic community event yesterday at Mile End Stadium, East London. Over 140 people turned up to compete in various athletics events, from boccia, adaptive shot-put to 100m sprint and 4person team relay.

Darren Harris (former Paralympic Judo player and 2012 Goalball hopeful) and I represented the DKH Legacy Trust, encouraging participants and having the honor of presenting medals. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and brilliantly organized day.

The atmosphere was relaxed and inclusive, I was impressed at the numbers of participants am sure that everyone enjoyed the event. I even had my hand painted with henna and had a go at adaptive golf (not as easy as it sounds)!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Young Leaders never cease to amaze me with their maturity, effort and organizational skills! What a great team, supported by Simon Stevens from V, well done 2012 Young Leaders!

Community Project Unveiled by Young Leaders

The Young Leaders on the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust London 2012 Young Leaders Programme have been busy in the community, and I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the Greenwich group's impressive Olympic Mural.

The project was led by Matt Hutchings and supported by the rest of the Greenwich team: Brandylene Forsom, Tolu Odusanya, Nikki Oduwunmi and a few volunteers.

The large, stunning, Olympic themed design, was painted on the mural and then the Young Leaders and Olympic Badminton star, Donna Kellogg, took it around primary schools on foot, engaging numerous local children in decorating the painting on London 2012.

Friends, family, teachers and volunteers came to support the unveiling of the spectacular mural and I spoke about the effect on the community of this project and the development I have seen in the Young Leaders. They have done a brilliant first community project and I look forward to the next projects (Including an Olympic themed photography show and 40m community run).

It is great to see the effort these young people are putting in, the results are spectacular, it goes to show that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.

NCS Community Residential ...to plan...to believe...to succeed!

16 year old school leavers participating in the National Citizens Service, complete the 'Community Residential' of their Summer of a Lifetime today.


This third phase of the project involved another week away from home, getting out and helping in the community, from helping out in an Old People's Home to the Fire Service.


I spent the evening, focusing on overcoming challenges and getting involved with evening teamwork activities. We had loads of fun and I was really buzzing as I drove home!


Olympic high jumper, Brendan Reilly, also got involved through the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust. Brendan did a 20 minute talk at the beginning about Dream Goals....to plan...to believe...to succeed. They had a go at a few machines, and did a medicine ball throwing competition which went down well.


This week the young people have had a taste of working in the community and chosen and project to design and implement over the next month.


Since starting the project I have noticed a monumental change in confidence, self-belief and group dynamics, a quarter of the young people have enrolled in college courses. Brendan also spotted a couple of good athletes and is facilitating try out sessions for them in athletics.


The message at Deloitte sponsored CBI West Midlands Summer Banquet, fundraising for Local Disability Sport, was reducing inequality through education. I had the pleasure of hearing World Champion, David Moorcroft speak as well as CBI Director General, John Gridland who highlighted the worsening and educational inequalities in the UK.

Schemes like the NCS and Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, striving to create life chances for young people, make a real difference and I am very pleased to be involved.

Everyone deserves a shot at success.

Summer of a Lifetime has Started!

A team of 16 year old school leavers from Wolverhampton have just completed the first week of the National Citizens Service, Summer of a Lifetime.


They have just finished an action packed week at Kinver Scout Hutt, near Kidderminster, where they learned all sorts of skills including making shelters, cooking, orienteering, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.


Ten days ago, at the induction day, myself and Irish hurdler, Peter Shallow gave a presentation and helped engage the young people with various activities from designing and creating a team flag to playing football. There was a remarkable change in the confidence and group dynamics throughout the day.


Today they have started the week long 'Community Residential phase' and tomorrow I shall appear as VIP guest, give a talk, question and answer session and to be fed by the young people - eek! I can't wait to get involved again and see the progress they have made so far.


As Midlands Team Leader, I am working alongside elite athletes and v to help 'create chances for young people' and finding it hugely rewarding.


11,000 young people across the UK have the chance to get involved and it really is a great opportunity and will benefit all participants and local communities.

Over £2500 raised for Charity as Luke and Dave Reach John O'Groats!

Thank you so much to Luke and Dave for their epic cycling and to everyone who has supported them along the way.

Luke's said about the journey:
"In the end we took a really lovely route taking in some great spots like Arran, the Mull of Kintyre and the Black Isle and stopping for the wonderful hospitality of various folks and taking a lot of small roads to avoid the busy ones. Despite all that our mileage has not been significantly more than others. I think 870 is the minimum but most take nearer 1000. We took 980. It all worked out swimmingly despite no real planning. And the weather has been on our side nearly all the way, which makes a massive difference of course...
Time for a beer!"













Dave and Luke left Land's End 12 days ago...












And with some careful planning (after setting off)...
















Stunning scenery...
















Only one puncture...


...They have reached John O'Groats!

This amazing challenge and adventure has so far raised £685 for Spinal Research and £1850 for DSUK which will help sponsor sister Anna’s ski racing.

“Thanks all for your amazing support!





Tuesday's diary:
"Cracking day today. Sunny all day. Knocked off 20 Quick miles up to Loch Ness then a nice little climb and long descent to Beauly. After that we had another 20 sunny miles cycling the length of the Black Isle. A great lunch at Cromarty while we waited for the ferry, which we missed but which came back in to pick us up (we were the only passengers) then mostly the busyish A9 to finish along the coast.

"92 Miles in the end bringing is to 980 in total, although my speedo broke yesterday so I'm stuck on 797 miles!”

Luke Turney and Dave Bosomworth reached John O'Groats at 3 o'clock today, in 12 days.

Brother Luke and Dave, you are amazing! Thank you guys so much! I wish I could've joined you but it would take some heavy training for me.

Alan Cook is currently the first handcyclist en route from John O'Groats to Land's End. Good Luck Alan! see http://www.justgiving.com/AlanCookRAB for more info.

Video footage from Scotland

Lovely morning crossing Arran first thing to catch a 9:30 ferry.


More of the same to Tarbert on the Mull of Kintyre for 1st lunch (pic). Spent the rest of the day crisscrossing the Mull of Kintyre to Oban (inc 2nd lunch).


Amazing countryside and good weather too - and a great ad for beautiful Scotland! About 80 miles done today.



Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the charities. Luke and Dave are cracking on despite saving the hills for the end!

Dave and Luke have reached Scotland!

After a week of cycling from the depths of Cornwall, Luke Turney and Dave Bosomworth have finally reached Scotland, raising a staggering £730 for Disability Snowsport UK to support sister Anna's Alpine Ski Racing career.


"Wow, its stunning up here! Just got to New Galloway for a bowl of soup. Best bit of road yet, fast, empty, sunny and just hilly enough for the scenery to be lovely!"

Luke and Dave are keen mountain bikers at heart, and only decided to take on this challenge last week.


They are working together to minimise wind resistance and trying to go 20 miles without stopping, but as Luke says, it's not a race!


The ride from Kendal to Dumfries was a challenging one and with surroundings like these it is important to take it all in, pick and choose when to stop or take the scenic route.

"Up in the hills of Dumfries and Galloway, cracking!"

They are now on their way to the Isle of Arran.



Apparently the biscuits are good up there!







Route planning!