John Willis wins prestigious Pride of Britain Award
John Willis, Charity Founder and Chief Ambassador, is celebrating after winning the ITV Regional Fundraiser Pride of Britain Award
John Willis, Charity Founder and Chief Ambassador, was left in ‘complete shock’ but ‘over the moon’ when the ITV team and close friends and supporters of the charity surprised him during his assembly at Quilters Primary School, Essex.
Whilst helping to run the school’s Paralympic Week with inspiring and inclusive games to involve all students, John was presented with a Pride of Britain after winning the ITV Regional Fundraiser Award.
John Willis, founder of Power2Inspire, set up the inclusion charity following a triathlon relay in 2013. Born without fully formed arms and legs, and frustrated after being excluded from sports and opportunities as a child, John made it his mission to ensure no one is left on the bench like he was.
“It’s absolutely incredible to be recognised for all the work the charity has done over the past ten years. When I was young, my mother used to tell me I can do anything. I’ve adapted this in later life, and my mantra now is ‘I can’t do it… YET’.
I think it’s really important for our younger generation to know that regardless of their ability or disability, there are ways everyone can be included in sports and no one should be left on the bench like I was.
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers, trustees, schools and everyone who has supported us over the years. The work we do would not be possible without you.
There are so many wonderful individuals recognised by the Pride of Britain, and its wonderful to be amongst them.
Power2Inspire is the reason I get out of bed in the morning, it means the world to me that the charity is being spotlighted.”
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador
“I am beyond thrilled that John has won such a prestigious award. John is an inspiration to us all, and working with him and watching his hard work and dedication over the years has been an honour.
John serves as a reminder that anything is possible, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Alex Laybourne, Chief, Executive Officer
You can see the promotional film, and read about John on the ITV website, by clicking the image.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
We are SO grateful for all the fundraising that is going on with the 108 Challenge. Your donations make a MASSIVE difference to people’s lives through Power2Inspire’s vision to ensure “no one is left on the bench!” THANK YOU!
If you’d like to donate NOW to the 108 Challenge click through to JustGiving by pressing the button here:
Recordbreaking summer of events for Power2Inspire
From Worcester to Durham – Power2Inspire are celebrating after travelling the country to deliver a record number of fantastic PowerHouseGames and Games2Inspire sessions this summer.
We kicked off our busy summer schedule of events with a trip up north to deliver an incredible PowerHouseGames session with volunteers from Durham University and a group of excellent local schools, all of whom commented on what a fantastic afternoon they had.
Shortly after, we had the honour of being joined by a whole host of fantastic able-bodied and Paralympic sports stars as we headed to Bisham Abbey to deliver a PowerHouseGames in partnership with VISA. For the second year running, we teamed-up with employees from VISA who helped us to deliver inclusive and adapted sports games for several local primary schools. NFL legend Lorn Mayers and GB Olympian Nick Middleton were just a couple of the stars who joined us for the fun.
It was a pleasure to deliver another PowerHouseGames in partnership with Leicester Tigers Foundation at the prestigious Matioli Woods Welford Road Stadium. Again, for the second year running, we brought together Leicester Tigers rugby players with inspiring sports personalities to compete in inclusive sports, including touch rugby, walking football and goalball.
Not only have we delivered a summer of incredible PowerHouseGames, we’ve also hosted a record-breaking number of Games2Inspire. Inspiring over 2,000 children across the country to immerse themselves in the world of inclusive and adapted sports, encouraging teamwork, determination and our number one rule, to have fun!
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our schools, organisations, sponsors and volunteers who have joined forces with our charity this summer, to truly make a difference to the lives of the local community.
Our PowerHouseGames and Games2Inspire sessions are designed to encourage everyone to feel empowered to enjoy sports, leaving no one on the bench.
Without your enthusiasm and support, we wouldn’t be able to influence a record-breaking number of people.
“Wow! What a summer it has been. It has been an absolute pleasure to travel across the country providing inclusive and accessible sports opportunities for local communities and young people.
We were back-to-back with some weeks having Games2Inspire sessions every single day – tiring to say the least, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
We’ve been inundated with positive messages, wishes and comments about the impact our events have had on people and children – and inspired so many to have the confidence to play sport.
As we always say – it doesn’t matter your age, gender, ability, disability, faith – sport is for all, and no one should be left on the bench.
I then finished the summer with a quick 108-mile trip in a kayak up the Thames – and now I’m ready to get into the swing of our Autumn events!
Thanks to everyone who continues to make this possible – it is so appreciated.”
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador
“It’s amazing to see the impact our events have on those who involve themselves. We’re often hearing wonderful comments about the work we do, not only with young people – but how our events have hugely positive impacts on businesses and organisations.
Our volunteering opportunities encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and take part in valuable experiences – building on teamwork and organisation skills.
We’re also looking to partner with new organisations – if you think you could benefit from this, get in touch!”
Alex Laybourne, Chief, Executive Officer
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group or being involved in one of our flagship PowerHouseGames events 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.
108 Challenge - Thank you!
Our 108 Challenge fundraising campaign is well under way, with our Founder and Chief Ambassador, John Willis, having recently completing his own 108 Challenge. John, born without fully formed arms and legs, paddled 108 miles down the River Thames, from Cricklade to Eton, helping raise vital funds needed to ensure our charity can continue to provide and deliver inclusive sports opportunities for all.
We’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of our fundraising campaign so far and helped to make the 108 Challenge possible. Without the support from so many fantastic organisations, volunteers and fundraisers, the work we do would not be achievable.
Firstly, a huge thank you goes out to all of our wonderful volunteers who joined John on his epic paddling journey. From World Champion rowers, to complete novices – your support, company and strength helped John both physically, and emotionally and ensured he made it to the end in high spirits. The encouragement John and the charity received from the community, passers-by and supporters of the charity was immeasurable.
Ashley Penn, PEM, joined John for a section of his journey. He said:
“I used a volunteering day to take part in the charity’s 108 Challenge – and it was an absolutely fantastic experience. It truly was an honour to join John on his journey, and I’m grateful to PEM for giving me the opportunity to do so. The charity does a wonderful job of providing sports opportunities, and your donations will help to ensure they can continue.”
Thank you to Ashley for volunteering, and to PEM for generously sponsoring the challenge, helping to make it possible.
Thank you!
We are hugely grateful to our partner organisations who have made this amazing endeavour possible.
We’d also link to thank Green Haus Renewables and Construction and Function Jigsaw for their generous donations, sponsoring the challenge and for also taking to the kayak to help John on his route! You were amazing.
It would be impossible to name every single person, group and organisation who has helped to make this challenge the success it has been – but we’re so incredibly grateful. From our volunteers, trustees and sponsors to the various canoe clubs, canoeing organisations and lock keepers across the route – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
We are SO grateful for all the fundraising that is going on with the 108 Challenge. Your donations make a MASSIVE difference to people’s lives through Power2Inspire’s vision to ensure “no one is left on the bench!” THANK YOU!
If you’d like to donate NOW to the 108 Challenge click through to JustGiving by pressing the button here:
108 Challenge Completed - An update.
- 108 miles
- 5 counties
- A whole host of amazing volunteers
- 1 mission – to raise vital funds for Power2Inspire!
With support from British Canoeing and months in the planning, our Founder and Chief Ambassador, John Willis, recently embarked on an epic 108-mile paddle, across 8 days, from Cricklade to Eton.
John, born without fully formed arms and legs, paddled through the stunning settings of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford with the help of a host of volunteers. From World Champion rowers, to complete novices, our fantastic volunteers joined John in his kayak for various stints of the journey, each one of them raising funds for the charity.
John’s challenge formed part of our wider ‘108 Challenge’ campaign, where we have been asking schools, businesses and the community to take part in a 108 Challenge of their own to help raise funds for our charity. From baking 108 cakes, swimming 108 lengths or running for 108 minutes – our inclusive campaign encourages you do something great, reach 108… and donate!
We are SO grateful for all the fundraising that is still going on with the 108 Challenge. Your donations make a MASSIVE difference to people’s lives through Power2Inspire’s vision to ensure “no one is left on the bench!” THANK YOU!
If you’d like to donate NOW to the 108 Challenge click through to JustGiving by pressing the button here:
“When I was a child my mother used to inspire me by telling me ‘I can do anything’. I’ve adapted this and my mantra has become ‘I can’t do it… yet’. This is something that has always driven me to take on challenges some may feel are impossible. I didn’t have role models when I was young, so I’m keen to make sure that I inspire others to believe anything is possible.
“It was an absolutely incredible experience to celebrate our charity’s 10th anniversary by paddling 108 miles across the country using an adapted paddle.
“I’d like to thank our wonderful volunteers who helped me on the journey and kept my spirits high until the very end.
“I was joined by some wonderful people, including flotillas from various canoe and paddling clubs across the route – their support was immeasurable.
“I can’t say it was an easy challenge – far from it. There were sections where I wasn’t sure I could physically continue – but with our wonderful volunteers boosting my morale – I made it, and I’m extremely proud.
“Not only are we aiming to raise vital funds to ensure we can continue to deliver inclusive and accessible sports events across the country, we’re also hoping to raise awareness of inclusion in sport.
“I set up Power2Inspire 10 years ago because when I was a child I was excluded from sport. I’ve made it my mission ever since to ensure no-one, no matter their ability, age, ethnicity, gender or race, is left on the bench like I was.
“Your donations will help us to continue inspiring people across the country to access inclusive sport.”
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador
“It’s a privilege to be able to celebrate ten years of Power2Inspire. We’re extremely passionate about providing everyone with the opportunity of playing sport – and John is an inspiration to us all.
“We’re extremely proud of John and his commitment to our 108 Challenge – as well as our fantastic volunteers. Without them, the work we do just wouldn’t be possible.
“The 108 Challenge is a great way to raise money for our charity – there is nothing you can’t do!
“Your involvement and donations will allow us to continue providing sporting opportunity for all.”
There is still plenty of time to help us reach our fundraising target by donating to John’s challenge – or if you’re feeling inspired, take part in your own 108 Challenge!
Alex Laybourne, Chief, Executive Officer
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
We are SO grateful for all the fundraising that is going on with the 108 Challenge. Your donations make a MASSIVE difference to people’s lives through Power2Inspire’s vision to ensure “no one is left on the bench!” THANK YOU!
If you’d like to donate NOW to the 108 Challenge click through to JustGiving by pressing the button here:
Bisham Abbey PowerHouseGames 2023 supported by VISA
Once again, we were joined by a whole host of British sports stars, fantastic volunteers from Visa UK and wonderful local schools to bring Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to life this summer. For the second year running, we teamed-up for an afternoon filled with laughter, smiles and inclusive sports games.
Over 30 children from The Wren School, Bradfield College and Brookfields SEN School took part in the exciting sports day. They competed in an array of sports, including walking football, blind football, new age kurling, sitting volleyball, sitting netball, zonal basketball, goalball, kwik cricket, tri-golf, short tennis and boccia.
GB rower Nick Middleton, NFL Giant Lorn Mayers and double World Champion motorcyclist and winter Paralympian Talan Skeels-Piggins were amongst a whole host of sports stars who were also in attendance.
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador, said:
“It was fantastic to bring together so many people from different walks of life for the PowerHouseGames last year, and even more fantastic to do it again this year. It really shows the impact that these sports days have on our volunteers – and it means the world that our wonderful Visa volunteers, local schools and sports stars have chosen to support us and get involved for the second year running.
I’d also like to thank Bisham Abbey for hosting again – a really great venue for a really great day.
We’d love to partner with more organisations, so if you’d like to bed inclusivity into your team building days – we’d love to hear from you.”
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.
With special thanks to Paul Sanwell of OP Photography for his fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission