PUSH 500 Challenge
by Lindsey Askin.
Date: 20 August 2013
It was “wheels-up” of a different type on the runway at RAF Waddington on Friday 16th August as Ex-RAF Regiment Gunner Sean Allerton (48) completed the next stage of his PUSH 500 Charity Wheelchair Challenge. Following a motorcycle crash nearly 20 years ago, Sean from Sherburn-in-elmet, near York was left a tetraplegic and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Inspired by the news that The Proclaimers had become patrons of the Forgotten Heroes Charity, Sean set himself a 500 mile wheelchair challenge which he successfully completed in March of this year. Not one to rest on his laurels Sean has set himself another 500 mile challenge, 3 miles of which he completed on a loop of the airfield at RAF Waddington on Friday.
Sean said: “As a recipient of the support of the RAF Charities I'm able fully appreciate just how much of a difference they can make to the life of someone who needs it. I hope you can sponsor my efforts which provides vital funds for them”
Supporters
Sean was joined on his challenge by several of his supporters including personnel from 8 Force Protection Wing RAF Waddington who regularly provide specialist force protection capabilities at Bastion and Kandahar Airfields, members of the Yorkshire University Air Squadron who have supported Sean throughout his challenge, and an RAF Waddington Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Corporal Ollie Loak.
Keen to experience the challenge as Sean does, his supporters completed part of the course in wheelchairs.
When he’s not too busy raising money for Charity Sean can be found flying, a hobby he’s recently discovered and excelled at. Having been given a flying scholarship for disabled people Sean is now an accomplished solo pilot.
Info
More info can be found at www.push500.com/the-challenge and to donate please go to www.push500.com/sponsor .
