From 14:00 Friday 12th April till 14:00 13th April a group of charity riders will embark on the mission of keeping two bikes turning for a full 24 hours. The event is open to all interested in getting involved and includes volunteers from Wymondham Rugby Club, Beyond Any Limits and local community members. All of whom have offered their time to support this great cause, thank you. Any further riders are welcome to get involved and should email tim@beyondanylimits.com

Our aim is to raise as much money as possible for Norfolk Knights Wheelchair Rugby while raising the awareness of the new facility at Wymondham Rugby Club within the community. All this while trying to cover the greatest distance we can across 2 bikes (if not 3) in the 24 hrs.

All money raised will be given to Norfolk Knights and the details of the charity are below. Norfolk Knights are a Wheelchair Rugby club (Est. 2016) set up with the aim of bringing this exciting Wheelchair Sport to Norfolk.

In forming this club they have tried to take account of some of the key barriers to participation, and actively reduce or remove them, with a view to building an inviting club environment:

> They are creating the opportunity

> They provide the key equipment

> They've selected an accessible venue

> They continue to focus on minimising member costs

When you consider the unique set of challenges and constraints faced when setting out to start a Wheelchair Rugby club, the fact that we have one in Norfolk is quite extraordinary.

Unlike Wheelchair Tennis or Wheelchair Basketball, you can’t just get into your “day-chair” with a few friends and have an impromptu game of Wheelchair Rugby:

> Because it is a high speed, contact sport (chair to chair), it requires specialist reinforced chairs - which at an entry level cost £3,000 each

> The sport is played on an indoor court (typically a basketball court) in order to minimise equipment damage and personal injury – as it is not uncommon for chairs to be tipped over during gameplay.

> Whilst the international, Paralympic game comprises teams of 4-a-side, realistically a training game would need at least 2 players a side – each with a specialist chair.

> Until recently, in order to be eligible to play Wheelchair Rugby at a competitive level you needed to classify under a quite restrictive set of assessment criteria – requiring physical mobility impairment in at least 3 limbs.

Having said that, the positive impact that playing Wheelchair Rugby can have on a person with any form of disability is quite transformative – particularly when you consider it is a mixed-gender sport with an emphasis on teamwork and strategy.

Whilst the current members of Norfolk Knights Wheelchair Rugby Club may face a wide range of individual challenges - including Spinal cord injuries; Amputation; Cerebral Palsy; M.S. and other neurological conditions – when they get into a rugby wheelchair, everyone is equal.

The positive impact on both the physical and mental well-being of these wheelchair rugby players when they come together and take part is clear to see. It provides an opportunity to be active, competitive and social in a safe, inclusive and friendly environment, whilst allowing them to temporarily switch off from the day-to-day demands they may otherwise face.

Norfolk Knights train at Wymondham Leisure Centre on Saturdays from 11am til 1:30pm and are open to anyone with a disability from the age of 18 who are interested in learning more.

They also encourage able-bodied volunteers to go along and join in the training, become assistants, chair mechanics, coaches or even referees.