150 miles in 2 weeks

The Red Wheelies, Britain’s one and only scooter formation team powered by Quingos, have successfully completed their biggest challenge to date.

The team is currently celebrating after completing the 150 mile trek which began at Winchester Cathedral on Sunday 9 May and ended on Friday 21 May with a blessing at Canterbury Cathedral witnessed by the Lord Mayor.

All ten ladies have Multiple Sclerosis, which brought them together two years ago and nothing has stopped them since. After wheeling the length of Hadrian’s Wall in 2009, this year’s challenge proved to be a bigger test than ever before. At almost twice the length of their previous journey, the North Downs Way walk was full of challenges with the ladies travelling an average distance of 16 miles a day, often in adverse weather conditions.

Providing the wheels for the team is Luton-based Forever Active Ltd (UK supplier of Quingo Mobility Scooters), who have been on-hand since the beginning making sure the ladies overcome any bumps and pot holes. They were waiting at the finishing line with a £3000 donation.

Passing through a total of 18 towns from Guildford and Gomshall to Winchester and Wye, the ladies completed the finishing leg of their journey in Canterbury greeted by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, The Venerable Sheila Watson and Julien Brazier, Conservative MP for Canterbury.

Jackie Weeden, team leader of the Wheelies said: “The 2010 challenge got off to a really positive start with a blessing at the Winchester Cathedral; spirits have been high all week and were thrilled to finish on time. We have faced some obstacles like stiles and muddy ground, but our Quingo scooters have ensured we’re well equipped to deal with any challenges the terrain through at us.”

Luton business man, Mark Nicholls, Managing Director of Forever Active continued: “The team spent four months researching the path through the North Downs Way and it was clear that the Red Wheelies were going to need sturdy, easy to manage scooters to get them through the challenge. The five-wheeled scooters are very agile, durable and comfortable, so the ladies were able to complete the course with best machines for the job. It’s wonderful to see the ladies complete such a tough challenge and we’re delighted to be able to support such a worthy cause”

Having raised almost £15,000 with their long distance challenges, the Red Wheelies remain ambassadors for people that face mobility and lifestyle challenges.

To find out more about upcoming events involving the Wheelies and to make a donation, visithttp://www.redwheelies.co.uk or follow them on @RedWheelies on Twitter.