'I'll wheel as many miles as possible' Arun District's Chairman to take part in a 24 hour wheelchair marathon

Arun District's Chairman, Amanda Worne, will challenge herself in a 24 hour wheelchair marathon between Sunday and Monday morning, an event which will raise money for THE Parent and Children Support Organisation PACSO - which supports children with disabilities, as well as their families.

The marathon will start at 7:30 am at Hotham Park, with the end scheduled for the following morning.

Amanda, who is disabled after breaking her spine in a cycling accident in 2015, said she has been trying to make the most of this life-changing event.

Ever since the tragedy, she has devoted herself relentlessly to the purpose of helping others.

She told V2 Radio's Katie Lyons: "Five years ago I suffered a terrible cycling accident on Bury Hill in which I almost died.

"I broke 11 bones, including 3 vertabrae; punctured my lung, whilst laying in bushes for over an hour until I was rescued.

"Luckily I survived, but as a result I am paralysed from the hips down.

"I have taken this life changing event as a second chance to embrace all opportunities and experiences that come my way as we never know what lies around the corner and how precious life truly is."

Amanda says she recalls how, being a mother of four and living in an unsuitable environment for someone in a wheelchair, her house was adapted by the BBC DIY SOS team in 2017.

"Since then, I wanted to give the community something back and I was elected as a District Councillor in 2019 for Arun.

"Last May I was also elected Chair of Arun District Council (ADC) as the first Wheelchair Chairperson in the history of ADC ."

Her commitment in the community has been as strong as ever during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I have spent the last year as Chair, during Covid, trying to raise money for my chosen charity PACSO - a charity that supports parents with children who have physical and mental challenges offering them support and respite. 

"In the November Lockdown I did 20 push ups everyday and raised over £1,000.

"I also designed my own Christmas Card as Chair of the District which I sold to residents, as well as fellow Councillors and officers, and raised about £300."

Amanda says the marathon taking place at the end of this week is immensely important, as PACSO, just like many other charities throughout the country, has seen its events cancelled during the pandemic without the opportunity to do any fund-raising.

Because of this, she says she is trying to 'double the amount of money' she has raised, 'so hopefully it'll be close to £3,000'.

On May 16 in Hotham Park, Amanda will wheel as many miles as possible over a continual 24 hour period, hoping to cover a marathon distance and possibly more.

"I strongly hope people will come down and support me over the 24 hour period, obviously, however, due to Covid Restrictions I am only allowed 6 people to join me at one time.'

Watch the full interview with Kaite and Amanda below and to donate, click here.