A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well... What a great year it has been for everyone at Forever Active, the Quingo team and for our friends in Kent, the Red Wheelies.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on all they achieved this year and to acknowledge all the effort and hard work that has gone into the years activities.

The Michael Ball Show, Davina and the 'Gotta Dance' show and of course the 150 mile Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrimage along with countless other appearances at various locations, all a huge challenge but as usual overcome with dignity, genuine determination and a certain amount of brute force. And all for a great cause.

Everyone on the Forever Active team are immensely proud to be associated with the Red Wheelies and look forward to continuing that partnership into the New Year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all all our Quingo customers a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the year to come.

The Stroud Half Marathon- The results are in...

...and they're not pretty.

Former English Rugby union International and County Cricketer Alastair Hignell CBE lead 70 runners dubbed Higgy’s Heroes at the Stroud half marathon on Sunday 24 October.
Alastair put a call out earlier in the year urging local residents to join his half marathon team and take on the challenging 13 mile route in order to help raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) based in Colchester, Essex.

Former BBC Commentator Alastair was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and now spends much of his time raising funds for the MSRC with the assistance of his fundraising comrades Higgy’s Heroes who have been tackling sporting events to raise funds and awareness since 2008.

Alastair said: “Over 70 team mates took part including Mark Nicholls and Paul Benzie both Quingo Team members – the competition was tough and although both gents finished neither looked too good afterwards. Luckily the main aim for the day is to ensure everyone crosses the finishing line and helps to spread the word for a good cause, we're not looking for Olympians.”

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active Ltd, said: “It’s been a task in itself to stick to regular training ahead of the big event but neither Paul nor I are regular runners, so this was a real challenge.”

Mark completed the run in a very respectable 2 hours 19 minutes while Paul has wisely requested that his time not be published.

Organised by the Stroud & District Athletics Club, the Stroud Half Marathon is one of the best sporting events in the South West that continues to support both the local community and charities. Now in its 27th year, over 2,500 runners competed in one of the most popular events of its type in the UK.

Alastair continued: “As a patron of the MRSC I spend as much time as possible raising money for those with lesser mobility. I can’t walk very far which is why I have two Quingo’s – as five wheeled scooters they are more flexible than the average scooter. We would like to thank both the runners and all those that came out to support them on the day"

On the hunt for Higgy's Heroes

Former English Rugby Union International and County Cricketer, Alastair Hignell CBE, is calling out for all local residents to join his half-marathon team dubbed Higgie’s Heroes.

Alastair, who now resides in Stroud, is inviting all who wish to take part to join the team who have conquered a number of challenges since they were formed in April 2008 including the Stroud half-marathon and the London marathon – where they raised over £50,000.

Former BBC Commentator Alastair was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and now spends much of his time raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre based in Colchester, Essex with his army of fundraising comrades.

Alastair said: “It’s an honour to raise money amongst friends as part of Higgy’s Heroes. As a patron of the MRSC I spend as much time as possible raising money for those with lesser mobility. I can’t walk very far which is why I have two Quingo scooters – as five wheeled scooters they are more flexible than the average scooter.”

Recent recruits to the team include Paul Benzie and Mark Nicholls of Bedfordshire-based scooter distributor 'Forever Active'. Mark first met Alastair when he presented him with his five-wheeled Quingo Air mobility scooter last October and now both have signed up to take part in Higgy’s Heroes next big challenge – the Stroud half-marathon.

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active Ltd, said: “We’re excited to join the team and help contribute to all the great fundraising efforts made by Higgy’s Heroes. Alastair is a great role model proving all that can be achieved in the face of adversity.”

“Both myself and Paul are ready to undergo a strict training plan so that when the event comes round on the 26 October we are able to complete the 13 mile run alongside the rest of the team. We’re lucky to have Alastair to help provide us with tips to ensure we get past the finishing line!”

Organised by the Stroud & District Athletics Club, the Stroud half-marathon is one of the best sporting events in the South West that continues to support both the local community and charities. Now in its 27th year, it is anticipated that over 2,500 runners will compete in one of the most popular events of its type in the UK.

Alastair continued: “We would like to urge all who believe they cannot partake in such an event that anything is possible and as a member of Higgy’s Heroes you will meet a range of people from all walks of life who are united in trying to raise money for a worthy cause. We had 130 take part last time and this year we are hoping to raise the number of Higgy’s Heroes to 200 – so if you would like to get involved please sign up.”

The Stroud half-marathon will take place on Sunday 26th October, with the race set to start and finish by Marling School at 10am.

Wheels available at Burghley International HorseTrials with Event Mobility

Event Mobility is gearing up for the return of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford helping all with mobility difficulties witness the top equestrian skills on offer at the event.

Event Mobility attend over 50 of the country’s biggest and most popular outdoor events providing a safe and comfortable mobility alternative to people with conventional walking sticks or manual chairs. The service is possible through a unique partnership between Forever Active, distributors of the latest 5 wheel Quingo range of mobility scooters and Event Mobility themselves.

Event Mobility staff will be available at the Burghley Park event to assist throughout the event instructing first time scooter riders and offering advice about mobility options for those considering a powered scooter for themselves.

Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active, said: “Many people with manual walking aids can find navigating countryside events quite tricky, particularly if there are large crowds and the ground is uneven.

“Event Mobility make grand events such as the Burghley International Horse Trials totally inclusive for people with mobility issues, with a fleet of over 280 scooters available for distribution. Individuals considering mobility aids for themselves or a relative also get the opportunity to see and test drive the latest five wheel Quingo scooters.”

Renowned for combining top international horse sport with top shopping, Burghley offers six specialist pavilions. From the Country Living Magazine pavilion to the Rural Craft Association and the Burghley Foodwalk, guests will be able to find all that they are looking for be it an early start on their Christmas shopping or top culinary delights.

Mark continued “With over six pavilions and two specialist equestrian areas, we understand such a grand scale event can appear intimidating for those with lesser mobility. But with the event mobility experts and scooters around to offer assistance, we would encourage anyone that wishes to attend to contact Event Mobility to be able to relax and enjoy the event.”

For those wanting to focus their visit on horse sport, they will be able to enjoy ‘The World of the Horse’ and ‘The Horse Village’ , which supply exactly that, as well as providing a ‘Celebrity Talk Area’ ideal for autograph hunting whilst keeping an eye on the sporting action on the big screen
The Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials take place this autumn from the 2nd to 5th September. For more information on Event Mobility and to book your scooter please visit Click this link 

Duchess announced as honorary Red Wheelie

HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has been announced as an ‘honorary member’ of the Red Wheelies, Britain’s one and only scooter formation team powered by Quingos.

The team, currently celebrating after completing a 150 mile trek from Winchester to Canterbury, invited the Duchess to join their team after spotting a newspaper photo of her on a mobility scooter as she presented Afghanistan campaign medals to soldiers back in May.

All ten ladies on the Red Wheelies team have Multiple Sclerosis, which brought them together two years ago and they have raised over £15,000 for the MS therapy Centre in Canterbury, Kent. The Duchess, who rode on a mobility scooter after breaking her leg in April earlier this year, accepted the invitation extended by Red Wheelie Carol Coulson on behalf of the Red Wheelies by personal reply.

Jackie Weeden, team leader of the Wheelies said: “I couldn’t believe it when Carol showed us the letter from the Duchess formally announcing her as an ‘honorary member’. We are delighted to be able to welcome the eleventh member to the team and proud that the Duchess of Cornwall has shown her support for our venture with a personally written response.”

Her Royal Highness wrote back to the mobility scooter formation display team to say that she ‘was delighted’ to become honorary member of the team.

Providing the wheels for the team is Forever Active with their highly successful 5 wheel Quingo Scooters. “We’re happy to support the ladies and all that they’ve managed to achieve in 2010. The letter from Camilla is a highlight in a year that has seen the team tackle challenges bigger than ever before." Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active went on to say: "We feel lucky to be able to be a part of the venture helping to raise awareness for MS and help people believe that it can truly mean a new beginning where anything can happen.”

To find out more about what it means to be a member of the Red Wheelies or make a welcome donation to their cause, visit http://www.redwheelies.co.uk or follow them on @RedWheelies on Twitter.

Mobility Roadshow welcomes Alistair Hignell CBE and the Red Wheelies

Forever Active, the UK’s supplier of Quingo 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters, is celebrating after its successful appearance at this year’s Mobility Roadshow.
Held at the East of England Show Ground earlier this month, the annual roadshow welcomed a massive 8000 visitors in just three days.

Organised by charity Mobility Choice, the event provides disabled people of all ages along with their carers and families the chance to explore and evaluate the mobility solutions available to them. Now in its 27th year, Forever Active has been a keen supporter of the show for the last ten years.

Visitors were able to see and drive the new 5 Wheeled Quingo range with the Forever Active team on hand to offer help and advice about the scooters unique safety, comfort and agility features. Mark Nicholls, Managing Director for Forever Active, said: “The Mobility Roadshow is always a popular event and this year was the busiest yet. Visitors were all really positive and the Quingo range was a great talking point throughout the show.”

Forever Active’s exhibition area played host to guest speaker, Former English Rugby Union International and County Cricketer Alistair Hignell CBE who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999. Alistair, VIP guest at the roadshow, was able to inspire others within a similar situation to himself. Throughout the day he continued to give support and first hand advice to visitors about how to cope with lesser mobility and the advantages of owning a Quingo. Mark continued: “We were lucky to have support from a whole host of famous faces at the event. Alastair was able to offer his perspective to the crowds whilst the Red Wheelies, the UK’s only scooter formation display team, supplied entertainment with their performances throughout the day. The Wheelies were real showstoppers, proving that reduced mobility does not mean a reduced lifestyle.”

For more information on the Mobility Roadshow visit www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk or call 0845 241 0390

Red Wheelies at London's first scooter meet

The Red Wheelies, the world’s only scooter formation team made a guest appearance in Peckham on Saturday to support the debut of Peckham Peacocks, London’s first ever mobility scooter meet.

The Wheelies, driving their especially prepared 5 wheeled Quingo’s, wowed onlookers with their formation displays, as Peckham Square played host to crowds of artists and scooter riders, all out to enjoy an afternoon of art to celebrate the launch of Peckham Space’s new venue.
Visitors to the event were able to get involved with a number of arts-inspired activities from undergoing a sixties style makeover to designing a club pennant whilst indulging in refreshments from the new artist-made coffee bar.

Rachael House, artist commissioned by Peckham Space and organiser of Peckham Peacocks said:
“Peckham Peacocks was an art event which brought people together, mobility scooter users along with art audiences and those from local communities. Participants included mobility scooters, wheelchair users, children’s scooters, homemade scooters and even a customised shopping trolley!

“We were so delighted the Red Wheelies were able to perform, they are a real inspiration to all with mobility issues and they show there is no limit to what can be achieved. They were a fantastic addition to the day, which hundreds of people attended and enjoyed.”

Arts organisation Peckham Space marks a partnership between Camberwell College of Art, University of the Arts London and Southwark Council. Set up in 2008, the scheme creates new artwork in response to and with communities in Peckham.

Jackie Weeden, team leader of the Red Wheelies said: “It was a great day and we were happy to involved with a cause that recognizes the advantages of bringing those mobility issues together. We enjoyed the creative activities on offer and look forward to being further involved with Peckham Space in the future.”

For more information on Peckham Space and upcoming events visithttp://www.peckhamspace.com To learn more about the Red Wheelies and make a donation to their cause visit http://www.redwheelies.co.uk