Ethos Public Relations Manchester

New handcycle for 2012 wheelchair tennis hopeful

by Ethos public relations

A 21-year-old student paralysed after a fall has received an extra special Christmas present - a brand new power assisted handcycle - thanks to the support of national charity Action For Kids.

Anthony Carter, from the University area of Reading, suffered a bad fall in February 2008, and sustained a spinal cord injury which left him with no movement or sensation in the lower region of his body.

Although Anthony had a wheelchair, he needed the new power assisted handcycle to increase his mobility and provide a greater sense of independence while living in Kingston and studying for a BA Hons degree in Foreign Art at Wimbledon College.

"The new handcycle was delivered just before Christmas and it was just the best Christmas present I could have had - it is fantastic," said Anthony.

"The handcycle is great, both on and off-road, and because it helps me get around far more easily, it has really given me much more independence. I've already been around Richmond Park a few times and it's excellent for travelling to and from university."

Anthony, also a keen wheelchair tennis player, regularly plays in tournaments and with great success: he won the National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Singles (Novice Division) last year and went on to win the Doubles of the Belfast Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in September 2009.

Anthony would like to go on to teach once he has finished his degree, but with his recent success in wheelchair tennis, is very keen to pursue his sporting talents first.

He added: "I train on a weekly basis in Roehampton and even get the chance to play with British wheelchair tennis pros, so who knows, with further progression maybe I'll be good enough to enter the 2012 Paralympics!"

Disability charity, Action For Kids, provided almost £3,500 for the COUGAR Powered Assisted Handcycle. Not only does Action for Kids provide disabled young people, up to the age of 26, with specialist mobility equipment, but it also provides an on-going maintenance program to keep wheelchairs working.

The equipment, which is provided on a permanent loan scheme, means that Action for Kids covers the cost of maintaining and servicing wheelchairs, and now the charity also provides maintenance on privately-owned wheelchairs.

Sally Bishop, Founder of Action For Kids said: "We're always pleased to help support young people like Anthony. We know that the new handcycle will offer him fantastic physical and emotional benefits and we look forward to hearing how he's getting on over the next few months."

To find out more about Action For Kids and its work, visit www.actionforkids.org

Posted at 8^th February 2010