A double gold medal winning Paralympian, Richard Whitehead MBE, is asking people from West Bridgford to join him for a run and raise money to help more young people with a disability get active.
One of the most-inclusive events of its type in the UK, Run with Rich is a friendly, fun, and welcoming event, which sees disabled and non-disabled people take part alongside each other.
Richard Whitehead MBE, who competes on prosthetics after being born with a double through-knee congenital amputation, won 200 metre gold at both the London 2012 and the Rio 2016 Paralympics during a stella athletics career which included becoming a World and European Champion on multiple occasions and saw him become one of the Britain’s most well-known disabled runners.
Now he combines his time with helping disabled people overcome different challenges and help remove obstacles which may otherwise prevent them from achieving their potential. He launched his own charity, the Richard Whitehead Foundation, which provides people with mentoring, equipment, and support.
A big part of the foundation’s work is encouraging people to get active and on 18 June Richard will be at Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham for the charity’s annual Run with Rich fundraising event.
There are two distance options: a one-mile route which includes sensory experiences and is perfect for families with small children, people with complex needs, or those who have just started running; and a 5km loop around the beautiful lake at Holme Pierrepont.
Richard will be taking part in both runs, meaning anyone who signs up will be able to run alongside one of Britain’s most successful Para athletes.
One of the barriers to being active for many disabled people is the distances involved, with people having to travel over an hour on average to take part in organised sport. The Foundation hopes to help encourage people to get active by hosting an event locally that is both fully accessible and ideally situation for people across the East Midlands.
Entry is £15 for adults, £5 for juniors, and under-fives are free, with all the money raised helping support the Foundation’s work using sport and movement to help people with a disability achieve their life goals.
Paul Brackley, Project Manager for the charity, said: “Our Run with Rich event is not only an important fundraising event for the foundation which will help us expand our work and help more people with a disability, but it is also a fantastic example of what we stand for as a charity.
“It is completely inclusive; anyone can take part their own way. Whether that means running, walking or rolling or going the distance with a running frame, wheelchair, or crutches – everyone is welcome to take part their way with Rich and be part of something very special.”
To book your place now, visit: www.whitehead.foundation/runwithrich2023 .
