Information for you

30th April

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British Record Attempt
Lands End to John O'Groats
1000 Mile Power Chair Challenge
18th July/18th August 2009
2 pm start
http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/

The Challenge
Lands End 2 John O’Groats is the furthest distance you can travel in one direction, from one end of Great Britain to the other: being a distance of approximately 10000 miles, 1600 km.

Approximately 2000 people take on this epic journey each year mainly in the name of charity. E2E records show that the E2E challenge has been undertaken by various means, including a jet fighter, a three-tone truck been pulled all the way. The none famous and the famous have done it. The able and disable; the young and the old. On bikes, manual wheelchairs, walking, running, horseback. Even a couple tried to do it naked but got arrested half way. Wonder why! The list of the different ways of doing this epic journey is endless.

In July 09 another record is, we hope, is going to be added to the list, E2E in an ‘Alex’ power chair. None has done this epic journey in one power chair before. Step in Mary Laver to fly the flag for all power chair users and make her bid at the E2E and at the same time make the attempt a British Record.

The Challenger ‘Mary Laver’
Mary Laver is 62 years old and has been wheelchair dependant for 22 years due to advanced rheumatoid arthritis, not that she has ever let that get in the way. Mary is quite a character and has completed the Great North Run by been pushed in her manual chair, on no fewer than 12 occasions, raising many hundreds of pounds for various charities and plans to complete the 13 mile course again in September.

Mary has no end to her talents and is keen to spread the word for healthy eating. Mary only eats organic food and always promotes Fairtrade products where and when possible, as she will during the 1000 mile challenge. Mary, who even thou is in a wheelchair and human and wheelchair dependent due to RA, advocates very strongly about controlling arthritis pain by diet. Mary along with Margaret Smith, is also the co-author of a best selling cookery book 'Diet for Life' Pan Books, on this very subject and which sold over a quarter of a million copies, making it into the best sellers list and overshadowing authors like Jeffrey Archer at the time.

The Power Chair
If Mary is to achieve her mission, she needs the most up to date technology. She is extremely grateful to Handicare Ltd, who have donated their new Alex power chair to the project. UK Marketing Manager Eddie Peacock describes Mary as “inspirational”. “She is a remarkable lady and we wish her every success with her 1000 mile challenge”

The Charity
As Mary is an ex forces, the WRAF, she is keen to ensure the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal as her chosen charity for the challenge, receives lots of sponsorship money and is asking people to make a donation by going to https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/e2epowerchairchallenge. and or sponsoring her along the route. She has been a proud fundraiser for many years raising hundreds of pounds for both the British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal say ‘We are proud that such a determined character as Mary has chosen our charity for this epic journey. We know she will give it 100% and no matter what obstacles are put in her way, she will complete this British Record attempt.’
Sponsors Required

Mary needs a large support team to do this challenge; she will have eight in the team with two minibus vehicles. It has been estimated, that to feed, accommodate the whole team and the cost of the petrol, will be in the region of £7000. Fundraising locally is now going on in earnest to meet this target, but more funds are desperately needed. If you would like to contribute by a donation or arranging an event, to Marys fundraising efforts, not matter how big or small, then please contact Mary at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com If you would like to be one of her sponsors, and or have your product tried by Mary on the challenge again please contact Mary as above. ‘Drinkup,’ http://www.drinkup.uk.com/ has already asked her to try their new hands free drinking bottle to use from her ‘Alex’ power wheelchair, while she is on the challenge.

The Route
Mary is using the Cycle Touring Club YHA route, which is….Lands End to Penzance. Penzance to Par, Par to Princetown; Princetown to Honiton; Honiton to Wells; Wells to Chepstow; Chepstow to Burley Gate; Burley Gate to Bridges; Bridges to Holt; Holt to Leigh, Leigh to Slaidburn; Slaidburn to Orton; Orton to Gretna; Gretna to Elvanfoot; Elvanfoot to Airdrie; Airdrie to Ardchullarie More; Ardchullarie More to Archallade; Archallader to Spean Bridge; Spean Bridge to Drumnadrochit; Drumnadrochit to Bonar Bridge; Bonar Bridge to Tongue; Tongue to Isauld; Isauld to John O'Groats.

The team are looking for camping sites, barns, B&B, YHA ect, to stay at. If you are near this route and would like to offer the team a place for the night, and they do not mind the team being split up if needs arise, then please email Mary at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
On a personal note, Mary would like to say and sincere and very deep thank you to Handicare for providing ‘Alex’ and the BNA for looking after staffing, for making this challenge of a lifetime happen.

Contact details

Mary Laver 0191 266 5197
Mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/
Eddie Peacock (Handicare UK Marketing Manager) 07985-160675
eddie.peacock@handicare.co.uk
http://www.alexwheelchair.co.uk/
Jenny Robson (The Royal British Legion) 0191-2682310
http://www.poppy.org.uk/index.php/give-money.html