A new set of wheels for Tina!
Donation protected
Update video
I am raising money to buy a new wheelchair for my friend Tina; the 'Human on Wheels' by taking on a pretty big challenge in 2019.
Tina was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia at the age of sixteen-years old and is now thirty-three. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare inherited neurological disease that causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems. It usually begins in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time. Tina has been a wheelchair user since the age of twenty-one and has remained as independent, positive and inspiring as possible, with adapted hand pedals in her car and a wheelchair which she is able to assemble herself, meaning she can get herself to and from appointments, work and anywhere else she needs to be. Tina's current wheelchair is in desperate need of replacing and updating and as this will cost a lot of money... I have decided to embark on a solo sea challenge in an attempt to raise every penny needed. See more about Tina here.
Since meeting Tina and her best friend Sarah in May of this year at the feel good festival The Big Retreat Wales (2018), we have become great friends. She has inspired and motivated me to appreciate how fortunate we are and her personal determination over the years to complete huge fundraising challenges for the charity Ataxia UK (in excess of £15,000) Ataxia UK webpage and others is amazing. In June 2019 Tina will be cycling on a specially adapted tandem hand cycle from Bangor to Cardiff for three charities close to her heart. Her attitude about this challenge is outstanding and if I'm totally honest, has been a major factor in motivating me!!
So, about my solo challenge ... see more about my challenge here... my video.
In 2019 - around June, I will set off from Holyhead on the Anglesey Coast and Kayak the coast 400km down to Swansea Bay. I am aiming to complete this challenge over no longer than two-weeks (If I can do it in less time I will be very happy), with about 30-40km's of paddling each day. I'm both excited and scared... but 100% determined to get this done and ensure that Tina has the best set of wheels available to her.
Any funds raised (with your support) which is over my target for Tina will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and other local charities. Hopefully they won't need to come to my rescue whilst at Sea, however I will be passing 13 of their lifeboat stations on route RNLI along the way so I would like to give something back.
Please can you support me with my fundraising, motivation for my 7 month training (which started this week on the 1st October) and in spreading the word to anyone and everyone that would like to hear about this challenge, fundraise or be an invaluable part of supporting and sponsoring my kit and training. Without the support of you wonderful people who have already helped by sharing, commenting and liking my video, I will not be able to complete this challenge and raise the necessary funds and reach my target.
I will be training at many locations, including The Fitness Studio , Gorseinon - at the gym, Llandysul Paddlers Centre, Penyrheol and Penlan Swimming pool and locally in the beautiful Gower waters. Training vlog... week 1.
I am now receiving professional coaching at CIWW, through Canoe Wales and it's going really well.
You can follow my training videos, blogs, posts and every step and stroke with me here on my Twitter and here on Instagram. If you would like to send me an email you can do so at [email redacted] ... I would love to hear from you with advice, guidance and support.
Thanks for reading and supporting my journey.
Leigh x
I am raising money to buy a new wheelchair for my friend Tina; the 'Human on Wheels' by taking on a pretty big challenge in 2019.
Tina was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia at the age of sixteen-years old and is now thirty-three. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare inherited neurological disease that causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems. It usually begins in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time. Tina has been a wheelchair user since the age of twenty-one and has remained as independent, positive and inspiring as possible, with adapted hand pedals in her car and a wheelchair which she is able to assemble herself, meaning she can get herself to and from appointments, work and anywhere else she needs to be. Tina's current wheelchair is in desperate need of replacing and updating and as this will cost a lot of money... I have decided to embark on a solo sea challenge in an attempt to raise every penny needed. See more about Tina here.
Since meeting Tina and her best friend Sarah in May of this year at the feel good festival The Big Retreat Wales (2018), we have become great friends. She has inspired and motivated me to appreciate how fortunate we are and her personal determination over the years to complete huge fundraising challenges for the charity Ataxia UK (in excess of £15,000) Ataxia UK webpage and others is amazing. In June 2019 Tina will be cycling on a specially adapted tandem hand cycle from Bangor to Cardiff for three charities close to her heart. Her attitude about this challenge is outstanding and if I'm totally honest, has been a major factor in motivating me!!
So, about my solo challenge ... see more about my challenge here... my video.
In 2019 - around June, I will set off from Holyhead on the Anglesey Coast and Kayak the coast 400km down to Swansea Bay. I am aiming to complete this challenge over no longer than two-weeks (If I can do it in less time I will be very happy), with about 30-40km's of paddling each day. I'm both excited and scared... but 100% determined to get this done and ensure that Tina has the best set of wheels available to her.
Any funds raised (with your support) which is over my target for Tina will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and other local charities. Hopefully they won't need to come to my rescue whilst at Sea, however I will be passing 13 of their lifeboat stations on route RNLI along the way so I would like to give something back.
Please can you support me with my fundraising, motivation for my 7 month training (which started this week on the 1st October) and in spreading the word to anyone and everyone that would like to hear about this challenge, fundraise or be an invaluable part of supporting and sponsoring my kit and training. Without the support of you wonderful people who have already helped by sharing, commenting and liking my video, I will not be able to complete this challenge and raise the necessary funds and reach my target.
I will be training at many locations, including The Fitness Studio , Gorseinon - at the gym, Llandysul Paddlers Centre, Penyrheol and Penlan Swimming pool and locally in the beautiful Gower waters. Training vlog... week 1.
I am now receiving professional coaching at CIWW, through Canoe Wales and it's going really well.
You can follow my training videos, blogs, posts and every step and stroke with me here on my Twitter and here on Instagram. If you would like to send me an email you can do so at [email redacted] ... I would love to hear from you with advice, guidance and support.
Thanks for reading and supporting my journey.
Leigh x
Organizer
Leigh Alexandra Woolford
Organizer