Youngsters urged to ‘Get going’ and Get Sporty!

Busseys are proud to annouce they are taking part in the Get Going event at the Open venue in Norwich on the 19th February

British sports people are urging disabled youngsters to get into sport to keep them fit and active to help them become more mobile.
At the Get Going event being held in Norwich on the 19th February at the Open venue, some of the UK’s talented young disabled sports people will be showcased.

Dan Jeffrey a 27 year old climbing instructor living in Thetford lost his left forearm. “I work at Open in Norwich on the climbing wall, teaching people to climb. Nobody realises the specialist equipment there is available to help anyone climb and I wish this could change.” He explained. “I really enjoy climbing because it can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be and literally anyone can do it. The people that climb are just so friendly and helpful and you can talk about anything with them, I find it a really good social sport.”

A lot of people have a perception that climbing is only for non-disabled people, but this isn’t the case at all as Dan and others have proved “I would love to be able to change the stereotype because now there are just so many ways to adapt equipment to allow anyone to climb” He said. “What I most want to get out of the Get Going event is to make people aware that such facilities exist and that climbing can be a sport for anyone. Disability should no longer be seen as a barrier.”

Another talented sports person attending is 23 year old Richard Fox who plays for the England Cerebral Palsy Football team. “I have always played football.  Nobody ever said to me “you’re disabled, you can’t play football” I just get on with it, I wanted to join in and do what everyone else did. At the age of 12 I saw an advert for the England CP football team so went for a trial, and have been involved ever since. When I had just turned 16 I was playing for England in the World Championships in Argentina,” he said.

“Cerebral Palsy affects everyone differently. I have very little use of my right arm and it also affects my right leg, but I love the game, and I’ve made some really good friends through football. Nothing compares to the feeling of scoring a goal for England. It really keeps me going to want to play more matches and score more goals and experience those moments. That’s a highlight for me” he explains. “I think that playing football has really helped me to stay fit and active and it keeps you mobile. You push yourself to your physical limit because you’re caught up in the game”

Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre will be taking part in Get Going, with instructors on hand to talk about the various water sports and activities on offer at Whitlingham Country Park. They are also offering Get Going participants the chance to win a free 'Try It!' course. This covers 3 hours with an instructor including all the kit you need, and there is a variety of sports to choose from including kayaking and sailing. Although they are not a specialist disability sports centre, Whitlingham is keen to include clients with disabilities and their instructors are experienced in finding solutions and helping people with individual needs reach their full potential on the water or with any of their land based activities.

Also at The Get Going event there will be Hen Freeman a Paralympics hopeful, and chance to win a Norwich City disabled ticket and a companion ticket for the Norwich City v Doncaster Rovers match held at Carrow Road on the 22nd of February.