Hi, I'm Leo - thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.

This year, I'm doing twelve physical challenges - everything from obstacle course races to a half marathon - to raise £2,000 to buy an all-terrain wheelchair for the older adults I work with at Hafan Y Waun in Aberystwyth.

Hafan Y Waun is home to up to ninety older adults, many of whom live with dementia. Getting out and about is vital for our residents' wellbeing; we live in a beautiful part of Wales, with award-winning beaches and stunning countryside close by. 

Unfortunately, accessing these places with a regular wheelchair can be difficult, if not impossible, as sand, pebbles and country paths are hard to navigate safely.

When I discovered all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, I realised there was a solution to the problem. I'm currently researching the ideal model to buy, but the vast majority have huge wheels, inflated to a lower pressure than usual, which can move easily and safely over soft and uneven surfaces. Some of the models have interchangeable wheels which can be changed without disrupting the user, and all of them can be folded to fit in the boot of a car.

I started working at Hafan Y Waun nearly ten years ago. I'd never worked in health and social care before, but I quickly realised I'd found my dream job. Since I started, I've worked my way up to the position of Care Manager, and in my spare time I studied  Health & Social Care with the Open University and got a First Class degree.

I love spending time with our residents - many of them come from a rural background so being outdoors is something they value - and I know that increasing their opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors will have a positive impact on their lives, which is a great source of inspiration to me.

The first of my twelve challenges is Tough Guy - The Original. It's an outdoor obstacle race through treacherous conditions, held in the Midlands at the end of January. It's going to be wet, muddy and very cold! Throughout the year I have a challenge planned for every month, including a 100km endurance race and a half marathon. 

I enjoy keeping active but all these events will take me well out of my comfort zone and really put my body to the test! I love being outdoors, whether I'm running on the beach or exploring the countryside, and it will be a massive honour to reach my £2,000 goal so the older adults I work with can enjoy access to these places too.

Thank you for visiting my page, and thanks for supporting me with a donation,

Leo Doran