The Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers was set up in 2002 and its 50 members organise and take part in accessible scooter rambles in scenic places situated between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay in East Scotland.
As the cost of organising events and maintaining its scooter fleet has increased, the charity needs to raise more donations to keep going. Their latest ramble, along the 79-mile Great Glen Way, aims to raise awareness and funds whilst offering an unforgettable experience for the riders.
The Great Glen Way is regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest trails. It stretches from Fort William in the south-west to Inverness in the north-east and includes famous places such as Loch Ness.
The scooter users embarking on this dramatic journey will be accompanied by a team of twenty volunteers who will walk with them for six days. Their route follows the greatest geological fault in UK and parts of Thomas Telford’s historic Caledonian Canal. The group aim to reach the ‘capital of the Highlands’ Inverness on the 6th May.
Shelia Batchelor, Chairperson, will be one of the scooter explorers driving a TGA Breeze that was recently funded by the National Lottery. This scooter is particularly ideal for Sheila as she has MS. With limited movement in her right arm, it was becoming harder for Shelia to join in on rambles. Now with a Breeze, that has been adapted to have left hand controls, she can explore in complete control whilst enjoying the company of fellow ramblers.
Sheila says: “I was on a ramble with Brian, our charity secretary, when he came up with the idea for the Great Glen Way challenge.
“I was immediately excited and said we must make it happen…and it has. We have managed to sort accessible accommodation, scooter transportation, scooter charging, dietary requirements and appropriate driving times so now we are raring to go.”
“To take on this challenge is something I never thought I would be able to do. Not only will completing The Great Glen Way be a significant challenge, I will also get an enormous sense of achievement.
“Our scooters such as my Breeze are built to tackle canal towpaths and forest tracks so we will be able to comfortably enjoy all the stunning views our offroad route has to offer. Add to this our aim to gather donations along the way, we hope this journey will help us continue fulfilling our motto – being ‘hooked on freedom’.”
Donations to the Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers can be made here.