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Site manager and former ex-soldier to run London Marathon for disabled children's charity
A Gloucestershire construction site manager who suffered with PTSD following military service is taking on a new challenge by running this year's London Marathon on Sunday 3rd October to raise money for a national disabled children's charity. Trevor Hopkins, who is an assistant site manager for Barratt David Wilson Homes at Merlin Gate in Newent, Gloucestershire decided to support Whizz-Kidz, which works to transform the lives of disabled children, because he had worked directly with servicemen who have lost limbs or been paralysed and has seen what they can achieve with the right support and equipment. To boost his fundraising efforts, his employer, Barratt Developments, has pledged to match funds up to a contribution of £1,000. Trevor joined the housebuilder straight out of the army 20 months ago, having been in the military over 22 years. Barratt actively encourages ex-Armed Forces personnel to join the company, valuing the skills, drive and leadership skills that they can bring. The company provides training and development to help recruits transition into everyday life and build a new career.
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Trevor is hoping that the training and determination needed to run the London Marathon will also help his physical and mental well-being. He suffered from PTSD in 2012 following service in Afghanistan and Iraq, and his recent transition out of military service during the pandemic restrictions cut him off from his traditional support networks. He says: "My end goal is to try and raise as much money as possible for Whizz-Kidz whilst at the same time trying to help my own physical and mental well-being along the way. "My darkest moments are when I am idle so when I saw Barratts were after volunteers for the marathon, I jumped at the chance as I see it as an opportunity to get some routine back into my life, outside of work. I know from previous experience that physical training has helped with my mental state as well so it would be a win win. Helping these kids is my perfect tonic." Having not run for over a year and carrying injuries which have required back surgery, Trevor suffered a setback to his training programme recently when his whole family got ill with Covid. He adds: "This is not the best preparation and just another obstacle to make this marathon even more challenging. But regardless of how hard it gets, I will drag myself over the finish line!
"The charity itself is amazing. Unfortunately, the NHS can't supply all the kit needed for these young wheelchair users which impacts on their own goals. Their disabilities shouldn't be a barrier to what they can achieve. I'm hoping with the support of Barratt, we can help as many of these kids as possible and make a real difference to their lives."
Harlan Bevis, construction director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West said:
"The pandemic has brought challenges for most people, but it has been particularly difficult for those transitioning into a new career from the Armed Forces as the social restrictions have made it tough to build new support networks. Trevor's commitment and dedication to his training are hugely impressive and we're really pleased to be able to help him towards his fundraising target. It's important to us to make a positive contribution to the communities we build in and Whizz-Kids does amazing work to help disabled children become confident and independent young adults." Anyone who wants to donate to Trevor's marathon for Whizz-Kidz can do so on his fundraising page https://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/trevor-hopkins
Half of Brits want e-scooter restrictions
More than half of UK survey respondents want electric scooter licences introduced if public use of the vehicles is made legal. This reflects public concerns for safety, according to a local Solicitors, which carried out the survey. One respondent explained that having an e-scooter licence would “regulate their use and mean [users] can be fined for being unsafe while riding”, while another suggested that because an e-scooter is a motorised form of transport, riders should “pass a test, get a licence and be insured as they may use their scooter more responsibly”. Additionally, 85% of the 1,000 participants think that e-scooter use should be age restricted, with 82% suggesting use should only be allowed for the over-16s. A quarter said use should be restricted until a person is 18 years old. The local solicitors say: “Up until 1 August 2020, riding e-scooters was illegal on UK roads, unless being used on private land with the landowner’s permission. However, the increasing popularity of this mode of transport meant that rental e-scooters became legal in a bid to ease pressure on public transport amid the Covid-19 pandemic." “The rising popularity of e-scooters as a mode of transport for tech-savvy riders who want to get from A to B more efficiently comes with a unique set of problems from a safety perspective. In 2019, YouTuber Emily Hartridge was killed in an e-scooter collision after losing control due to an under-inflated tyre, an incident that highlighted just how dangerous e-scooters can be.” 30 The survey also revealed a lack of knowledge around the rules of using e-scooters, as 52% admitted to not knowing the related law. More than a quarter think that a privately-owned e-scooter can be used in public and 16% believe e-scooters can be used on the pavement, despite both scenarios being banned by the Department for Transport. “While the Department for Transport has published guidance for e-scooter hire companies, which included a speed limit of 15.5mph, there is not enough awareness being raised among riders and it is still uncertain how safe e-scooters are when compared to other forms of transportation, such as cars and bikes,” Powell adds. Elsewhere in the survey, respondents believe riders should receive the same safety advice as cyclists (93%), with e-scooter users having to wear a helmet (88%) and high-visibility clothing (74%). To prevent accidents, e-scooter riders should consider wearing a helmet to protect against a variety of head injuries and help to prevent injuries caused by collisions. They should also refrain from using an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol and conduct safety checks, such as a visual inspection for any signs of damage and testing the brakes and throttle before setting off.
The firm points out that riding a scooter during your childhood does not mean users will be able to steer an e-scooter.
This mode of transport can be more difficult to manage because of its small wheels, which means practising before embarking on your journey is a must for novice riders.
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