Peak District backs ride for change

Above: Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver are met at the Proact Stadium by the Mayor of Chesterfield, Clr Steve Brunt, and Chesterfield FC mascot Chester the Fieldmouse

The Peak District National Park was delighted to support the Accessible Derbyshire charity as it marked the first national Changing Places Day with a marathon wheelchair challenge from Cromford to Chesterfield.

Through disability, age or infirmity, the needs of an estimated 230,000 people in the UK are not met by standard accessible toilets. Mencap’s Changing Places campaign aims to raise awareness of the need for large, accessible spaces with a height-adjustable changing bench, ceiling hoist and the space to change someone in dignity and comfort.

The challenge, calling at a number of Derbyshire’s Changing Places, was on two BOMA 7 all-terrain wheelchair bikes, one of which was loaned by the Peak District National Park. Chief executive Sarah Fowler raised funds to buy the machine through sponsorship at last year’s Eroica Britannia festival.

Accessible Derbyshire co-founders Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver each rode one of the bikes from Cromford to Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium.

Gillian said: “What a great way to celebrate the first ever National Changing Places Day, 10 years of the official Mencap Changing Places campaign and 13 years of local campaigning in Derbyshire. Changing Places really do change lives and Derbyshire is at the very forefront of making that change happen.’’

Jane added: “Riding a BOMA 7 is like cycling without the effort. It’s a great way for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the fresh air in the Peak District.’’

Peak District cycle hire manager Helen Bower said: “We were only too pleased to be able to help Accessible Derbyshire complete this fantastic challenge.’’

• The BOMA 7 is available to hire from the Peak District National Park’s Parsley Hay Cycle Hire Centre, near Buxton. Tel: 01298 84493.