CEO takes on Ultra X England Marathon Challenge
Alex Laybourne, CEO of our charity, recently embarked on an extraordinary challenge by participating in the Ultra X England marathon – a grueling 110km, two-day race through the Peak District with a staggering 4,388m elevation.
Inspired by our founder, John Willis, who paddled 108 miles down the Thames last summer, Alex set out to push his own limits and raise vital funds for the charity’s mission of promoting inclusive sport.
Power2Inspire’s vision of a world where “no one is left on the bench” drives their work to embed inclusive sport across schools, communities, and the wider sporting landscape. The charity runs events that educate and inspire participants of all abilities to have fun together through sport.
Although Alex didn’t make it to the finish line, being pulled at the 60km mark, he remains immensely proud of his achievement. Despite the frustration of not completing the full distance, he views the challenge as a testament to the importance of pushing boundaries – particularly in the realm of inclusive sport.
Alex is already looking ahead to future challenges, determined to continue raising awareness and funds for Power2Inspire.
This marathon may not have ended as planned, but Alex’s dedication and resilience reflect the spirit of Power2Inspire’s mission – to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to participate and thrive through sport.
If you would like to donate, and help us to reach our target, please read more, here:
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Could your organisation / company take up your own fundraising challenge to support Power2Inspire?
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. We are always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
Inaugural Cambridge Biomedical Campus PowerHouseGames
I was thrilled to join the Power2Inspire team at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus to hold the first ever PowerHouseGames on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, site. The green in front of the Royal Papworth Hospital and the Astra Zeneca building, decorated with flags, large tipis or stretch tents, was perfect for our inclusive games.
Churchill School brought 12 special needs students, who blended into the ten teams with great aplomb. Volunteers from around the campus made up the teams—we had ten teams of mainly four participants. we played boccia, sitting netball, sitting volleyball, goalball, and bean bag/club throw!
The last time I participated in an event hosted by Power2Inspire was a Games2inspire event held at Kings College School in 2014 when I was in year 6. Seeing the growth of this charity has been incredible. It was so nice to play some of the sports I remembered from the last time I participated, such as Boccia, sitting volleyball, and Goalball. I had a great time meeting the children of Churchill School, and with various ages present, it was great to see everyone working together and bonding with their teams.
I have always had a passion for sports, and I played netball and hockey all through school and now at university. So, during the long summer breaks, what better way to spend some days than to get involved with a charity with which I have a personal connection? One highlight that stuck out for me was winning a medal for my participation in sitting volleyball in year 6, so I was very excited to get back involved with sitting volleyball again.
Sarah Brisbane (Royal Papworth Hospital):
“I think these sports inspire even greater teamwork. In a number of them, there was a total reliance on your team mates, for example where one was blindfolded. I hope to base some team working exercises in our Directorate events on what I experienced, to show the value of communication in success.”
Anna Todd (Cambridge Children’s Hospital Project):
“Brilliant to better understand how sport is for all and actually, with a few tweaks, everyone can participate together, rather than having separate events for different abilities. I loved seeing how much the kids grew in confidence throughout the morning.”
The children, and feedback from the other volunteers, made it clear how valuable this experience was for getting children involved in sports and creating an inclusive environment for everyone to have fun. We had a range of volunteers from the Royal Papworth Hospital, The Children’s Hospital Project, and the Cambridge University Hospitals Trust with varying degrees of understanding of how the event worked.
It was clear to see from the feedback received that the event was a resounding success and ‘pure fun’, which left volunteers ‘buzzing for the rest of the day’. Everyone who participated said they would love to get involved again, and I couldn’t agree more.
Ellie Bithell (Royal Papworth Hospital):
“The atmosphere was great and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces and hearing all the laughter from both the children and adults alike. It was such an inclusive event and I feel honoured to have been a part of it.”
Alisa Cole (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust):
“The best thing about today’s games was that children and adults – regardless of age, sporting experience, work status or physical ability – were competing on a similar level and having so much fun together.”
What are PowerHouseGames?
PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports, with activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants are encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, to learn to respect other people’s differences, and Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Huge thanks to volunteer Martha Lansley who has written this brilliant report of the event for us. Martha is currently reading International Relations at the University of Exeter.
Thank you to the team at Cambridge Biomedical Campus for the use of their photos, reproduced here with permission.
If you would like to volunteer at one of our events, or are interested in writing for the website, we would love to hear from you.
Martha Lansley
All photos used with permission
Paris & the Power of Inclusivity in Sports
With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games just a couple of weeks away, we want to emphasise the significant impact that sports can have on individuals and communities. The Paralympic Games are a strong demonstration of athletes with disabilities showcasing their talents in their respective sports. Here at Power2Inspire, the upcoming Paralympics are not just about celebrating the achievements of Paralympians but also about recognising and advocating the overall importance of inclusivity in sports.
People with disabilities frequently encounter barriers when it comes to participating in many areas of life, including sports. However, sports have the potential to break down these barriers, and encourage success, empowerment, and community.
Power2Inspire is devoted to ensuring that “no one is left on the bench”, a mission that coincides with the ethos of the Paralympics. We create sporting opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to participate in sports and experience the wonders of competition and teamwork.
As we watch the Paralympians compete in Paris next month, let us honour the accomplishments of these world-class athletes and continue to strive for a society where everyone can enjoy adapted and inclusive sports together.
If you would like to join the likes of Quilters School, Essex, and host your own Paralympics week in your school or place of work, please get in touch – we would love to work with you. Find out more about our Paralympics week by clicking the image here.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Paralympic Week in your school / college / company / community group then we would love to hear from you.
We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Completing the 3 Peaks for Power2Inspire
On July 19, 2024, the CDT Prosthetics and Orthotics Society (P&O CDT Society) completed the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Power2Inspire.
The challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. The P&O CDT Society reached the summits of tallest mountains in Britain – Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England, and Ben Nevis in Scotland in under 24 hours and managed to raise £1,320, exceeding their target of £1000 by £320!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the P&O CDT Society for taking on this challenge and express our immense gratitude to everyone who generously donated to support the challenge!
Alex Laybourne, CEO, Power2Inspire, said:
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to the CDT Prosthetics and Orthotics Society for their unwavering commitment and perseverance in completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.
Their efforts not only raised crucial funds but also helped spread awareness about our mission. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated. Your generosity and support will go a long way in helping us ensure that more people, regardless of their age and abilities, have the opportunity to participate in sports.”
If you would like to donate to their fantastic fundraiser, you can do so here:
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Could your organisation / company take up your own fundraising challenge to support Power2Inspire?
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. We are always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
Advocating for Inclusive Sport for All
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Advocating for Inclusive Sport for All
At Power2Inspire, our mission is clear:
to make sport accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of ability.
Britain’s Paralympic athletes, returning from a successful 2024 Paralympics in Paris, are advocating for equal access to school sports for disabled children.
Despite finishing second in the medal table with 124 medals, including 49 golds, they highlighted a concerning statistic:
The statistics are staggering. This exclusion not only limits disabled children’s opportunities for physical activity but also stifles personal development, confidence, and social integration. With 1.5 million disabled children in the UK, we cannot overlook the importance of providing equal sporting opportunities.
We wholeheartedly support the recent call from Britain’s Paralympic stars for equal access to school sports for disabled children. Their powerful message resonates deeply with our commitment to inclusivity and reflects the urgent need for change in the educational system.
The open letter sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer underscores a crucial point: every child deserves the chance to participate in physical education. As advocates for inclusivity, we believe that creating a truly inclusive sports environment requires well-trained teachers equipped with the right tools and understanding to cater to all students.
The power of sport
Sport has an incredible ability to unite, inspire, and empower individuals. The success of the Great Britain Paralympic team, which secured an impressive 124 medals in Paris, is a testament to the talent and determination of disabled athletes. Their achievements remind us that when barriers are removed, extraordinary potential can be unleashed.
Alice Tai’s comments about the impact of exclusion are particularly poignant. Sport not only enhances physical health but also fosters mental well-being, resilience, and social connections. Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy of sport, building friendships and skills that last a lifetime.
A call to action
As we move forward, it is imperative that we not only celebrate the successes of our Paralympic athletes but also take actionable steps to ensure future generations are not left on the sidelines. We urge the government to prioritise the training of teachers and the development of inclusive sports programs in schools.
Further interviews with athletes on BBC’s Newsround
By working together—athletes, educators, parents, and policymakers—we can create an environment where all children can thrive. Our vision aligns with the ambition of the ParalympicsGB athletes: to ensure that by the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, no disabled child faces discrimination in accessing sports.
Join us
At Power2Inspire, we invite everyone to join our movement for inclusion in sports. Together, we can advocate for policies that support equal access and inspire a culture where every child feels empowered to participate, compete, and succeed.
Let’s work towards a future where inclusivity in sport is not just a goal but a reality for all.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Paralympic Week in your school / college / company / community group then we would love to hear from you.
We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Power2Inspire Team