In thanks to Richard, the Heavy Metal Handcyclist

Fundraising for Wheels for Wellbeing, Transport for All, and Disabled People Against Cuts, in memory of Richard and to keep his work going.

 

I'm Doug Paulley, and I am fundraising in memory of Richard - the Heavy Metal Handcyclist / @CrippledCyclist.

Richard very sadly died on Monday night. (21st March 2022).

(picture is of this tweet)

 

Richard was the most amazing, kind-hearted guy. He was a great campaigner for disability rights and justice, particularly for rights of access to cycling infrastructure. He was a skills-multiplier; so many people have gained skills and confidence to challenge injustice because of his encouragement and empowerment. He was so generous with his time and expertise that there is a phalanx of disabled people, particularly cyclists, who can better challenge inaccessible infrastructure and services because of him. His accessible infrastructure Freedom of Information template is just one example of the multitude of ways in which he made such a difference.

 

He was such a genuine, interesting and caring person that when I tweeted (at the request of his partner Eryn) to announce his death, there was a massive outpouring of grief, support and compliments about him. He has had such a positive impact on so many people, who want to continue his legacy, his unfinished work and his great impact.

There are many ways of doing this. He was so passionate about everything he did, and many replies to my tweet show that even since his death there have already been small steps taken and progress continuing with people challenging barriers.

One way of continuing his work is through this fundraiser. Eryn asked me to set this up because Richard would have liked for support to go to the accessibility groups he worked with and encouraged the work of. He cared about so much.

 

Money raised through this fundraiser will be divided equally between three organisations:

 

1) Wheels for Wellbeing.

A national charity fighting for equitable access to the benefits of cycling and active travel for disabled people. It is led by disabled people. Its mission is to communicate & help remove the multiple barriers to cycling experienced by disabled people, whether legal, infrastructural, financial or attitudinal.

 

Richard worked with them as part of the Beyond the Bicycle Coalition to rid the world of physical barriers on cycle routes. He helped countless Disabled cyclists to get barriers removed, using the Equality Act 2010.

 

They will continue the #BashTheBarriers campaign in his name.

 

 

2) Transport for All.

The only disabled-led group striving to increase access to transport and street space across the UK. They are a pan-impairment organisation, guided by the passionate belief that all disabled and older people have the right to travel with freedom and independence.

 

Richard fought for disabled people's right to travel on public transport without impediment. He was hugely supportive of disabled people's use of the emergency button when we get left on trains, for example. He was a fierce campaigner.

 

 

3) DPAC - Disabled People Against Cuts.

A grass-roots organisation of disabled people, which started after the first mass protest against the austerity cuts and their impact on disabled people. An organisation of people who believe that disabled people should have full human rights and equality, for everyone who refuses to stay silent about the injustices delivered by wealthy politicians on disabled people.

 

Richard advocated for direct action, campaigns for disability rights and support for individuals to get the support they are entitled to.

 

 

Split three ways

Eryn tells me that Richard spoke of all three organisations, and spoke highly of them and that it would be fitting to set up a combined pot in his memory and then split it equally between them.

 

If you feel able, please feel free to give a donation in his memory.

Nothing can ever replace him, but we can continue his great campaigning legacy.