On a sunny Saturday in August, our Superhero Harry (aka Phoenix Fire) and his brother Tommy (Super-Farmer-Ted) completed the epic challenge of the Superheroes Tri at Dorney lake.
Our client Harry lives with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy due to hospital negligence around his birth, which significantly affects his movement and coordination.
Harry and Tommy participated in the Superhero Sprint – a 150m swim, 3km cycle and 1km run. To help them complete the course, sidekicks Louise Astill, Sam Critchley, Helen Thompson, Mikhail Popov and Caron Heyes also took part.
To start, Tommy took to the water for the swim leg, towed in an inflatable boat by Helen and Sam as they endured the cold waters of Dorney Lake, completing the 150m swim, in record time.
Next up, Harry took on the 3km bike ride on his new adaptive trike pulled by Louise. Harry could not keep the smile off his face as he whizzed around the track, ringing his bell to make sure the team were going as fast as possible.
Harry was able to debut his trike, purchased from interim damages after liability in his medical negligence claim was settled at the end of last year.
Finally, the whole team, took part in the 1km run. Harry in his pushchair, with Tommy and the team running alongside.
Harry and Tommy described the whole event as ‘the Best Day Ever’ and cannot wait to take part again next year.
Louise, who organised the team’s participation in the event, said: “Superheroes Tri, is a fantastic and inclusive event. It was really inspiring to see Harry in action using his new adaptive equipment, enabling him to take part in such a wonderful event alongside his brother and seeing first-hand the difference having adaptive equipment makes. Well done to everyone who took part, we cannot wait for next years’ event!”
Harry and Tommy’s mum told us, “Thanks so much for a brilliant day on Saturday! Thanks for being so amazing with both my boys! They had the best day ever! What a brilliant event! The whole team were fantastic!”
Superheroes Tri is an event that held each year, and its aim is to enable superheroes – those with a physical, sensory, intellectual or behavioural disability to take part in a triathlon supported by superhero sidekicks, who help them to complete the course. This year, our team took on the challenge to help fundraise for Cerebra, a national charity who are dedicated to helping children with brain conditions and their families. They work closely with families to provide the best research-driven, high-quality health, legal, financial and social care advice for children aged 0-16 with brain conditions to enable them to discover a better life together. Cerebra’s innovation centre as develop adaptive equipment to help those with disabilities to participate in events such as the Superheroes Tri.
If you would like to sponsor the team and support the incredible work undertaken by Cerebra, please see our fundraising page. All donations are gratefully received.
