Power Chair Club North East

Power Chair Racing

2010-09-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

1st September

Power Chair Racing.

Having compleated the Lands End 2 John o'Groats challenge I now want to meet up with other power chair users to share the ejoyment of being a power chair user.

Driving a power chair is fun and I want to share that fun with everyone.

That fun can be sharing a days ride with other power chair users. It could be doing a challenge, small or long, Why not get a team together and cross America. Why not get a team together and explore Europe. Why not get a team together and enjoy power chair racing.

If you are interested in one or more of the above then please email me at mary.laver.e2e@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

Mary

Power Chair Racing

2010-08-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

25th August

Power Chair Racing.

Do you live in the North East? Do you want to power chair race around a track?

I am interesed in reaching power chair drivers regardless of age and disability who would like to set up a
Power Chair Racing Club.

Please email me at mary.laver.e2e@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary

7 Days to Go

2009-07-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

10 July 2009

7 Day to go

With only 7 days to go we have been busy putting the teams information packs together and finalizing our route and accommodation paperwork.

In the teams information pack we have such information as letter from RBL giving them permission to collect for the RBL. Where they will be staying and a job description.

On Monday, Alex will be arriving here. He will be kitted up and fitted to my somewhat bent body. I lean to the right.

Even though I want to do this challenge in one Alex, I am been given a spare. HC do not want my world record attempt to end because Alex did not make it. Thank you HC.

With now only 7 days to go, it is now a matter of putting everything together. Fill packing boxes. Make sure that I have all my personal equipment. Cross all the right X’s.

This weekend I go out with Philip – my cyclist - on a training run, for the second time. We went out yesterday for the first time covering 22 ks. This first training run was on footpaths, main A roads and minor A road. I loved every moment of the time we spent.

World Record Attempt in a "Alex" Power Chair

2009-07-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

8th July

World record attempt

A World Record Attempt in a Power Chair
LEJOG 18th July/12th August 09

The Guinness Book of Records TM http://www.guinnessworldrecords have now agreed to recognise “The Lands End to John O’Groats” challenge as a “World Record” and that The Lands End to John O’Groats Association are the official judicator of the LEJOG Challenge. http://www.landsend-johnogroats-assoc.com/

Mary Laver (62) is now going to take on the challenge under the rules of the “Guinness Book of Records TM,” of driving her Handicare “Alex” Power Chair from Lands End to John O’Groats between 18th July/12th August 09

Mary, who is severely disabled with Rheumatoid Arthritis, is totally human and wheelchair dependent will be with a team of seven, made up of two drivers, two vehicles, four carers, one cyclist... They plan to stay in campsites and Youth Hostels on this epic journey.

Mary says, “While this is my World Record attempt, I also consider it is also a team event. We will cross the starting line as a team and cross the finishing line as a team.” She also goes onto say. “This will be my second attempt but this time, thanks to friends and strangers in ‘Tyne & Wear and the support of my team;’ we will go for that World Record in their name.

Mary knows that the safety and the safety of others is a prime importance, and will if deemed necessary, Mary will get into her van to pass any danger knowing that by doing so her World Record attempt is finished.

Mary hopes the challenge will raise awareness of the work her chosen charity “The Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal” and raise them lots of cash. Her target is £8000

Mary is also very passionate about the work of ‘Fairtrade’ and ‘Organic Food’, so will be promoting their work on this World Record attempt..

The team will be feed, where possible, on Organic and Faitrade produce.

Mary says’ “The World Record is there for me to take, all I have to do take it. Easy to say, very hard to do!”

For more details of the challenge, please go to
http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/

To support her chosen charity please go to
https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/e2epowerchairchallenge
To contact Mary on her mobile, she would love to hear from you.
07975649162

Press Release

2009-06-03T05:02:00.000-07:00

3rd June 09

Mary Laver’s Power Chair Challenge

May Have to be Cancelled.

Mary Laver (62), who has crippling rheumatoid arthritis making her totally human and wheelchair dependent, has a driving ambition, to drive her ‘Alex’ power chair, in July / August 09, from Lands End to John O’Groats, for her chosen charity, ‘The Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.’ Just one thing may be stopping her, finding the shortfall of £4000 in her £10000 budget to fund the challenge.

After months of planning, sending out press releases via Press Box, Mary has not managed to capture the imagination of the press or sponsors, even her local paper, the Newcastle Chronicle only squeezed in a small paragraph at the bottom of a page in their newspaper. The free paper ‘The Metro’ have not picked it up, and only one local radio station ‘Metro’ did a 4 second slot at intervuls during one day and put an earlier press release on their web site though Mary only got one response, though very disappointed, Mary says a very hearty thank you.

Mary says, “I have short fall of approx £4000 and have no private means of raising this money. I cannot afford to put all expenses on a credit card as I do not have the means to pay such a large amount off.” I may, if I cannot find some more funding have to call the challenge off”.

Mary, through Press Box, is putting an appeal out to every one to please help her do this challenge by providing some funding. I have applied to different charities but have been told they do not fund individual’s only charities. Mary has applied to the Guinness Book of Records to have her challenge recognised and recorded as ‘1000 miles in a power chair’ Mary awaits their verdict

If you wish to know more about Marys End 2 End then please visit her blog http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/ email her mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com or mobile 07975649162

No Interst

2009-03-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

30th March 09

No Interest

I have had little to no response to my idea of starting a Power Chair Club up here in the Great North East, this is despite the fact that out major local news paper newspaper and Disability Now covered the story. Why, i ask myself.

The picture on the right is of me in my much loved Alber Adventure

If anyone of you reading this blog knows how i can kick start the club then please pass it on. All help gratefully received.

My email address is mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com.

Thanks.

You might like to visit my other blog about me putting a team together to drive my power chair from Lands End 2 John O'Groats a distance of approx 1000 m

You can find more details by visiting http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/

Disability Now Jan 09

2008-12-31T09:08:00.000-08:00

A New Year A New Club

2008-12-30T10:05:00.000-08:00

30th December 08

A new year a new club.

The world is trying to blow it self up. We are going into recession. Our guys and girls in our armed forces are being killed in battle and i am trying to start the Power Chair Challenge Club North East. What more contrast to 2009 can there be?

Sometimes it is good to get away from the issues of life, war, recession, home care, and have some good old fashion fun, if it is only for a few hours a week, that is what i am trying to help happen thought the club, escape. Take to the open roads and footpaths and enjoy with like mined people, and just been who we are.

Early in January i am going to make another attempt at getting the club of the ground, i am doing this because a lot of interest has been shown. So join me. Write to me at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com I would love to hear from you.

2008-11-17T09:32:00.001-08:00

17th November 08

Press release.

Please pass on to who ever you can by what ever means you can. Thanks

POWER CHAIR USERS WANTED FOR NEW ADVENTURE CLUB
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By Emma Foster, Community Newswire
SPORT Powerchair Newcastle, 13 Nov 2008 - 13:40

A 61-year-old Newcastle woman is calling on power chair users from across the country to join her club and take part in sports, rallies, trips and other challenges.

Mary Lever, who is severely disabled due to rheumatoid arthritis, has set up the Power Chair Challenge Club and now wants disabled and able-bodied people to join her.

The club already has a constitution, a bank account and a blog and Mary says now it just needs members and volunteers to help run it.

The Forest Hall woman says she wants to go out and have fun in her Alber Adventure Power Chair, and wants other power chair users to join her in activities such as rallies, extreme sports and even a ride from Perth to Sydney in Australia.

She said: "The idea has been in my head for a long time, I've always wanted to find other people in power wheelchairs because there's nothing out there for us. There are no power chair clubs.
"There are lots of things for manual wheelchairs but nothing out there for people like me, even though there are thousands of power chairs in the North East.

"People in power chairs need the support of a club to get out and about. Power chairs can only go for as long as their batteries last so we need to have generator to charge up.

"I go out on a long ride on my own and my power chair breaks down how do I get back? It's a long way for a carer to push me so it can become very awkward to do something off track."
Sports, a display formation team, fundraising activities, social events, holidays and trips are just some of the plans Mary has for for the club once it gets going.

Mary continues: "The scope for what we can do is enormous - we could have social events such as power chair dancing and do sports.

"Why can't we play tennis from a power chair? And hockey, basketball and of course football.
"One good thing about being in a power chair is we do not have to do the running bit, so we can compete with people much younger than ourselves!"

The Power Chair Challenge Club is open to people of all ages and abilities with any kind of power chair, scooter or trike.

Mary adds: "I called it a challenge club because for some people who are stuck in a house, just to go out in their wheelchair and do a few yards can be a challenge.

"My challenge is Lands End to John O'Groates or Perth to Sydney, but the club is open all abilities and all ages. I thought we could divide routes into a, b and c for different types of chair and levels of ability."

Anyone who can help organise a ride, be a bike rider on a challenge, join the club's committee, help with publicity or transport is also invited to join the club.

Last year Mary tried driving her power chair from Lands End to John O'Groats but had to stop after a day after she felt there were not enough people in the care team to cope with the demands.

Mary is now planning a second attempt at the challenge in May/June next year to raise money for the British Legion, and is inviting four other power chair users to join her.

For more information or to join the club contact Mary on 0191 266 5197 or email mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com. To read Mary's blog visit www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com.

2008-11-15T01:45:00.000-08:00

15th November

Face Book

I am not too keen on putting information about myself on the Internet so when you visit the link below do not be surprised at the lack of information.This link is to Face Book. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1608553989&ref=name

The only reason i have signed up to Face Book is that i have been told that it is a good way to get the word out as to what i am trying to do.

I would vale your comments and input as to if Face Book does work.

We Can Only Do This With Your Help

2008-09-15T11:07:00.004-07:00

We cannot do all this withoit your help.

Can you organise a day or half day ride. Training will be given to do this. This part of the list is endless

We need bike riders on each challenge. Can you help

Can you become a committee member/write make web site. Every organisation has a web site
Can you organise a social event, be our Transport Officer

Have you an interest that you can share with the club

Some Power Chairs Cannot

2008-09-15T11:07:00.003-07:00

Some power chairs

Some power chairs are not up to doing challenges such as off road cycle tracks, my Alber could take on the route around Keider but I am not too sure if my DHSS, my work horse would. My DHSS could easily take on short & long distances with a smoother terrain
We could put challenges into categories, say A,B,C routes

The Concept of the Club

2008-09-15T11:07:00.002-07:00

The Concept of the Power Chairs Challenge Club North East

Encourage PC users to get out and have some fun with other PC users.
We can organise on a regular bases outing along the many footpaths in the North East. A lot of them are near the metro or other local train net work.

We can hold rallies
We can hold race meeting
We can have week ends/week away sharing the cost of hiring accommodation
We could even hire the Across Jumbulance and have a holiday abroad

We could form a display formation team, like the Colour Squadron. No such team out there making us rather unique
We could promote safety issues in regards to using power chairs and scooters
We need to get more cycle/footpaths open to power and manual chairs. As a club we can help bring this about

We can hold social evening
We can…
Suggestions please

The aims of the club

2008-09-15T11:07:00.001-07:00

The Aims

The aims of the organisation are:

To promote and support the relief of those disabled people who are reliant on a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter by means of social outings, activities and the like which contribute to their quality of life.

The area of benefit is the North East of England

This club is committed to equality for everyone and all members are expected to behave in a manner consistent with this commitment.

There is no age limit

Able bodied people very welcome

Why this challenge club

2008-09-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

17th September 08

Why this challenge club

I have been a power chair user for 20 years and have now decided at my time in life it is time to have some fun. That is why I wish to stat this club, to have fun with friends like you, explore new challenges all from my power wheelchair so why not join me

Shopping List

2008-08-30T01:32:00.002-07:00

Shopping list

29th August

When we get the club going I asked myself what do we need when we are out doing our challenges.

Firstly I said most power chairs (PC) will do an average of 10/12 miles per charge. Not a great distance. We would cover that distance in about 3 hrs. We need to charge our batteries while we are on the road, say stopping for lunch. Item number 1 is a good diesel generator capable of charging 10 PC in one go. When we get the club up and running, we will get a second generator to accommodate more PC’s

Second. PC can break down, we need a good trailer and with ramp and winch, to put the PC on to get it home, also to transport PC’s to our destinations. I think we should allow room for say 2/3 PC. The trailer will also carry our generator and other equipment needed such as folding table and chairs, items to let us brew up.

Some of our club members maybe like me, none weight bearing and will need to be hoisted out of their PC so we need a mobile hoist with sling.

The loo. On a full days outing we shall need to go to the loo and there will not always be one available, we need a loo tent and a commode.

The biggest item I can for see is we need transport. Not all club members will have a vehicle; have just obtained one, the first in 20 years. A Citron Relay 1.9 I do not know if I can afford to keep it.

We can add to this list, hire of St Andrews Church, stationary, lots of stamps and envelops. Printing, business cards, advertising, ect.

All of the above is now in the process of been costed out, but without the van, we are looking at about £3000.

Welcome to this blog

2008-07-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Monday, 14 July 2008

Welcome to this blog for The Power Chair Challenge Club North East

I am trying to start a power chair challenge club, with the motto ‘breaking the chain’ to enable people, like you and me, living in the great north east, to get out on our highways and byways and enjoy using our power chairs. Abled bosied very welcome

The club has the word challenge in its title, because anyone of us, who uses a power chair, may not be able to travel very far, for what ever reason, lack of transport, someone to be with you, lack of a group to organise it, or another illustration might be, your own personal challenge might be driving your power chair just up the road the club can help you.

People like you and me, in power chair might want to get out and travel our footpaths, long and short, visit places of interest, team up together and hire a log cabin and hold off road challenges, go racing, orienteering challenges, do anything that brings fun while in our power chair and a sense of achievement, as if we need one. Me, next year, my second attempt, my challenge is to drive my Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair from Lands End to John O’Groats for charity. Anyone in the club who wish to join me, please just email me and I will give you more details.

The list of enjoyment, that we as a club,' breaking the chains' that I know I feel sometimes, are only restricted by our imagination.

So if you are interested in the club, and wish to no more, including the contents of our “Constitution”, then please email me at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
Please visit this blog regularly for updates.

The picture attached with this first entry is of me on 1st June 08, with my team, at the starting post at Lands End. Will you be with me next time? I hope so.