A WHEELCHAIR user from Burgess Hill is taking part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday April 15 for the third consecutive year in aid of The Disabilities Trust, a charity of which he is a service user.
Giles Martin has Lesch Nyhan Syndrome, a condition characterised by neurological and behavioural abnormalities.
Due to his additional needs, he lives and is supported at Ernest Kleinwort Court, a centre in Burgess Hill which provides accommodation and support for people with physical disabilities.
It is part of the nationwide network of support services provided by The Disabilities Trust.
Giles is a wheelchair user but he has not let this be an obstacle in completing the Brighton Marathon with his teammates.
Accompanying Giles are Tristan Arvis and Michaela Sanford who met Giles him working at Ernest Kleinwort Court.
Tristan and Michaela will push Giles all 26.2 miles in a bespoke manual wheelchair which has been designed to ensure Giles’ safety at all times.
Giles said: “Completing the marathon makes me so proud.
“I am the captain of the team so I am the one who will motivate Michaela and Tristan as they get tired and feel weak.”
The team are fundraising for The Disabilities Trust, a leading national charity providing innovative care, rehabilitation and support solutions for people with profound physical impairments, acquired brain injury and learning disabilities as well as children and adults with autism.
The money raised by Giles, Michaela and Tristan will go towards buying assistive technology for the service users at Ernest Kleinwort Court.
Assistive technology can transform the lives of people with disabilities by increasing communication and independence.
This is the first time that the team has only consisted of three people so they will need as much support as possible for their biggest challenge to date.
If you would like to sponsor Giles, Michaela and Tristan visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gilesmartinmarathon.
Find out more information about The Disabilities Trust at www.thedtgroup.org.
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