AN INTREPID disabled man from Edenbridge is planning to travel around the UK on a mobility scooter to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.Reg Marchant, 64, of Skeynes Road, suffers from post polio syndrome after catching polio as a child.
He wants to try to visit almost every lifeboat station in the country during his mammoth 5,500-mile trek.
He hopes to begin his six-month trip in April next year from RNLI headquarters in Poole, Dorset.
"The idea came to me seven or eight years ago when I was first given a scooter – it was pretty dire but I soon found another one to replace it," he explained.
"I enjoy going out on my scooter, it is like going for walks which I can't do.
"I like the coast and thought if I am going to do this I should raise money for a good cause." The RNLI do a great job and they risk their lives to save others so they seemed a good cause, I've seen a lot of what they do on television."
Mr Marchant has been working on the plan for over a year.
He said he needs sponsors to help him in his quest.
Most important of all is the acquisition of a heavy-duty long-range scooter along with a generator, batteries and a caravan or motorhome.
"My scooter is fairly new but won't hold up for the trip. I'm hoping someone will be able to donate equipment," he said.
The trip is expected to take six to seven months and Mr Marchant said he would welcome people to join him and his wife for parts of it: "My neighbours said they may come along for a bit and do some camping with us and if other people want to they are more than welcome."
During the trip, the keen amateur photographer will also be taking pictures of the stunning countryside and coastline with the hope of turning them into a calendar to collect funds for the British Polio Fellowship.
Anyone interested in helping Mr Marchant can contact him at scoot4life@talktalk.net or ring 01732 865068. Visit the website at www.scoot4life.co.uk
Kent & Sussex Courier, 7th April 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment