Celebrating Don Hutchinson
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Don Hutchinson, at the age of 79 in August 2024. Don was an extraordinary individual who, at the age of 72, competed in the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii in 2017 to raise funds for Power2Inspire. This included a 3.8km sea swim, 180 km bike ride and 42km marathon run, which is a phenomenal achievement. Don proudly raised over £6,000!
Not only was Don an exceptional triathlete, but he was also a close friend of our founder, John Willis.
John Willis expressed:
“Don was a hero of mine.
Not just an inspiration but a gentleman: generous, kind and infectiously enthusiastic.
I will miss him enormously.”
Don was deeply committed to our mission of advancing inclusivity through sport, and it is heart-wrenching to think that he is no longer with us.
Our sincere condolences go out to Don’s family – his legacy will continue to inspire us all.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Could you help continue Don’s legacy by taking 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
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:
only one in four disabled children participates regularly in school sports.
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.
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
Longstanding Director, Annabel Sykes, retires after nine years of service
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Longstanding Director, Annabel Sykes, retires after nine years of service
After nearly nine years of dedicated service, Annabel Sykes, the first Chair and long-standing Director of Power2Inspire, has officially retired from her role.
Annabel played an instrumental role in shaping the charity’s operations, from its early days to its current standing as a leading charity promoting inclusive sports.
Annabel’s journey with Power2Inspire began in 2015 when she was invited onto the board by her long-time colleague and friend, John, the charity’s founder. Both Annabel and John share a history from their days at Cambridge University, where they both studied law. Having started the charity in 2013, John recognised the valuable insight and energy Annabel could bring, especially as Power2Inspire transitioned from an idea into action.
Annabel was there for some of the charity’s pivotal moments, including the very first Games2Inspire event at Kings College School in Cambridge, where the charity’s tagline was coined: “Rule number 1: to have fun!”.
Her tenure as Chair of the Board ran from October 2015 to October 2019, after which Jeremy Macklin succeeded her in the role. However, she remained a director until her official departure on 3rd September 2024, marking just shy of nine years of service, the maximum allowed under the charity’s governance structure.
Annabel’s contributions extend far beyond leadership titles. She played a critical role in establishing the charity’s operational structure, governance protocols, and securing various trademarks for Power2Inspire. One of her legacies is the phrase “No one left on the bench”—a reflection of our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate in and enjoy the power of sport.
Throughout her time with Power2Inspire, Annabelle attended countless events, including PowerHouseGames, Festival of Inclusive Sports, and our iconic SuperSensory Inclusive Kilometres. Her presence at these events wasn’t just as an observer but as a tireless advocate and organiser, often contributing behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. She was also instrumental in building key relationships, such as with Jennifer Crompton, the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, who helped extend the charity’s network and reach.
John, founder of Power2Inspire, expressed deep gratitude for Annabelle’s unwavering commitment:
Though Annabel has now stepped down from her formal role, her impact continues. She remains involved with the charity as a volunteer, continuing to support Power2Inspire’s mission to promote inclusion and accessibility in sports.
Power2Inspire will forever be grateful for Annabel’s sterling service, her wisdom in supporting the charity, and her passion for making sport accessible to all. The charity is confident that her influence will be felt for years to come as they continue their work, building on the strong foundation Annabel helped to create.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
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.
Power2Inspire Team