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SUMMIT SPECIAL: Ben and the team at the top of Pen y Fan

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THAT TOP OF THETHAT TOP OF THE WORLD FEELINGWORLD FEELING

BRITAIN’S “most injured soldier” , Ben Parkinson, continues to move mountains 15 years on from being told he wouldn’t survive.

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The former British Paratrooper, accompanied by ex-firefighter John Chart, who has lost the use of his arms due to motor neurone disease, and police officer Laurence East, who has stage four cancer, scaled Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Wales.

Ben, 37, said: “It’s been 15 years, when people didn’t think I would even survive 15 days. I’ll never stop doing things that people say are impossible. ”

Ben lost both legs and suffered brain damage while serving inAfghanistan in 2006. He was not expected to survive, let alone speak or walk again. But his determination and tenacity continues to defy the odds.

Over the years, he has taken part in many expeditions organised by Pilgrim Bandits – a military charity that supports injured and amputee veterans by inviting them to take part in physically demanding expeditions that push them to their limits, helping them to enjoy life again and see just what they are capable of.

The Pen y Fan climb was organised for members of the Curtis Palmer Program, a branch of the Pilgrim Bandits charity that supports emergency services personnel who have also suffered lifechanging injuries or are living with mental health conditions, such as PTSD and anxiety as a result of the trauma they have faced on duty. Thames Valley Police Inspector Damien Isherwood, who heads up the project, said: “Ben climbed Pen y Fan prior to his injuries, but hadn’t since and we knew this challenge meant a lot to him – as it did to all those taking part. “It was all about teamwork.All those taking part had their own mountain to climb as well as the actual mountain – and we believe that a big part of their healing process is in helping others. ” Previously, Ben became the first double amputee to cross the Hardanger Plateau in Norway and one of the few to conquer the mighty Yukon River in Canada. More recently, he took on the charity’s Winter Survival Course in Sweden, trekking across inhospitable terrain and sleeping in snow holes at minus 20 degrees – and completed a 1,000-mile bike ride across the country with 10 other amputee veterans, in support of John Chart, who had set himself the mammoth challenge after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Pre-season adventure gets the team off to a flier

IT LOOKS like another great season is in store for Cerebral Palsy United FC –and they’re keen to thank the Steve Morgan Foundation for helping them to get off to the best possible start.

Set up in 2013 for anyone with CP or an acquired brain injury, the club benefited from an “all expenses paid” adventure break in the Lakes, and returned in tip-top shape.

Michelle Willcock, who helped found the charity, said the trip was designed to support wellbeing through nature and the outdoors after a difficult 18 months caused by Covid-19.

She said: “Our members all have cerebral palsy or an acquired brain injury and all have had additional challenges, from bereavement, shielding, isolation, loss of social confidence, loss of physical capabilities due to not being able to access the physio and exercise they need.

“Getting them out in nature and reconnecting with each other in a calming and natural environment has been a massive success. This visit was such a release for our young members. ”

CP United FC were awarded £12,000 from the Community Match Challenge (CMC) Fund, which is a match-funding joint initiative between the Steve Morgan Foundation and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

They also received two smaller grants totalling £6,500 from the SMF Covid-19 Emergency Fund during the early stages of the pandemic.

n info@cpunited.co.uk

FIT FORACTION: CP United being put through their paces at the KepplewrayActivity Centre

SUPPORT YOUR SUPPORTERS!

DISABLED fans continue to face barriers to watching live sport, a new survey shows.

Almost a third of disabled fans who took part in the survey said there were some sports or sporting venues they felt unable to visit because of access failings.

Asimilar number said physical access at stadiums was a barrier to them attending live sport, with almost one in five highlighting the difficult of buying tickets as a barrier – and inaccessible public transport.

The survey was the first to be conducted by the Level Playing Field charity and will now be carried out annually.

Most of the respondents reported their experiences at football grounds, with about a third saying they supported Premier League and Championship football clubs, and another fifth following League One teams.

More than 1,400 disabled fans took part, with results being sent to each club that was mentioned by a supporter.

One supporter said: “Never underestimate the need for good signage and people to ask.

“I don’t want to get lost because I then have to walk further than necessary and get tired. ”

Another highlighted the need for “a room to take insulin – not very hygienic having to use a toilet” .

Many also raised concerns about returning to watch live sport now Covid-19 restrictions were easing.

More than three in five said there would need to be sanitising stations, and almost half wanted compulsory mask-wearing, except for those who were exempt.

More than a third said clubs should only admit fans who had been vaccinated against the virus.

One question asked which services and facilities disabled fans could benefit from inside stadiums.

Nearly half mentioned accessible toilets, while others suggested easy access seating, additional legroom and priority use of lifts.

Access Charter

Tony Taylor, LPF’s chair, said: “Having no access to essential facilities such as accessible toilets and other services should never be an option. ” He said the LPF had been working with the National League, the fifth tier of English football, on an access charter, while both the Premier League and English Football League both offer guidance on access issues to clubs. He added: “Clubs must engage with supporters and mitigate their concerns about spectating in a safe, secure environment. “We have heard of clubs providing blocks of seats/areas where there is a greater focus on social distancing, mask use and other safety measures – all of which we would encourage. ” Wheelchair spaces on Merseyside – and at Wembley

n LIVERPOOL FC – 263 wheelchair spaces.

Disability ticketing team: email disability@liverpoolfc.com. Tel 0151 264 2500.

n EVERTON FC – 180 wheelchair spaces,

including 13 for visiting fans. DisabilityAccess Officer: michelle.kirk@evertonfc.com. Tel. 0151 530 5261. Disability Ticketing Liaison Officer: brendan.connolly@evertonfc.com. Tel 0151 530 5396.

n WEMBLEY – 310 wheelchair spaces.

Accessible shuttle bus, dedicated lifts, 147 accessible toilets, and two Changing Places loos.

Ali’s access to exercise

PARALYMPIANAli Jawad has launched a mobile app that he says will “revolutionise” fitness programmes for people living with impairments.

The app – Accessercise –

provides an exercise library, specifically designed for various impairments, and a hub for users to explore and rate accessible sport and exercise facilities in their community.

Ali said: “For too long, people with impairments have not been given ample information, knowledge and access to fitness centres.

“I want to help transform the lives of people across all abilities and the only way to achieve that is to put them first.

“Where possible, I want to work with local governments and fitness services to make information and access more widely available to people living with impairments and to bring about legislation that promotes and encourages greater accessibility to sport and exercise for the disabled community. ”

The app is available to download via both theApple Store and Google Play.

n www.join.accessercise.com

CHILDREN with cerebral palsy are being encouraged to take a look at a new online booklet that’s been created to help them find out about getting involved in sport.

Wheelchair tennis player and CP Sport ambassador James Shaw said: “I hope this will encourage lots of young people to give sport a try. There are lots of opportunities and support out there.

“Sport has completely changed my life on and off court, giving me great independence and finding lifelong friends. My advice is ‘say YES to sport!’“

n CP Membership:

Tel. 07377 142527

n www.cpsport.

org/resources