Kenny Herriot opens the Mobility Roadshow Scotland

10 September 2010 - Scotland’s popular disabled wheelchair athlete, Aberdeen-based Kenny Herriot, is set to inspire thousands of disabled people from across Scotland at next week’s Mobility Roadshow, when he cuts the tape to open the event and welcome visitors to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston near Edinburgh.

Many of you will know that Kenny, who was paralysed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident in 2000, is one of the world’s leading wheelchair athletes, breaking the British record for the marathon in 2005. Last year he completed a 4,000 mile ride from San Francisco to New York and he has just returned from a challenging 500 miles in seven days ride from Glasgow to Dublin with Spinal Injuries Scotland.

Kenny will join visitors taking part in a range of wheelchair sports, hoping to inspire them to be more active, try a different sport and eventually join clubs and events locally. This year the Roadshow has teamed up with Lothian Disability Sport, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, to ensure the widest range of games available for people of all ages. In the Sports Arena wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, badminton, football, archery, boccia, new-age curling, and carpet bowls are all there to try, with experts on hand to coach and advise. New this year is Cyclefest; a great opportunity to try a range of all-ability trikes, passenger, companion and tandem cycles in a ‘no pressure environment’. Plus there will be a 7m accessible climbing wall with hoists and experienced staff to help everyone reach the top.

Organised by charity Mobility Choice, the Mobility Roadshow is the world’s premier consumer event showcasing products and services to aid and improve personal mobility and promote an independent lifestyle. Established in 1983, the Roadshow is the original hands-on mobility event, meeting the nation’s mobility needs for 27 years. It is a free event aimed at disabled people of all ages, their families and carers, as well as older people who may be experiencing reduced mobility.

Visitors can test drive adapted vehicles whether as disabled driver or passenger; gain valuable advice from conversion and adaptations specialists, try out all the latest wheelchair and scooter models, explore aids for the home and everyday living, accessible travel and leisure and gain practical advice and information from a host of charities and specialist organisations.