Cyclone Technologies donates Batec handbikes for 200-mile charity fundraiser

cycloneThis October, Cyclone Technologies, the UK’s leading suppliers of lightweight wheelchairs and mobility equipment, supplied wheelchairs and advanced Batec handbikes for a 200-mile charity handbike ride from Hull to Manchester.

The event was successfully completed by a nine-man team, which included wheelchair users and able-bodied members, all of whom used manual or hybrid/electric Batec handbikes, which transform ordinary wheelchairs into hand-powered tricycles.

Participants included rugby players whose careers were cut short by injury, as well as a severely injured former soldier, alongside a doctor, comedian and businessman. The team finished the 200mile route from the KC Stadium to Old Trafford in 5 days, where they delivered the match ball for the 2015 Super League Grand Final.

The event was organised by Jimmy Gittins, a former professional rugby league player whose own career was ended by a life-threatening neck injury. The challenge raised money in aid of the Steve Prescott Foundation, a charity set up by the former rugby league professional following his diagnosis with terminal stomach cancer.

Jimmy Gittins, the event organiser, explains:

“It was a fantastic challenge, and a fitting tribute to Steve’s memory and the legacy of his fundraising work. It was a hard 5 days, but everyone came through, raising thousands of pounds for a specialist cancer hospital and rugby league players who’ve suffered life-changing and career-ending injuries.

“The Batec handbikes were absolutely invaluable, and we simply wouldn’t have been able to complete the gruelling journey without them. Several of our team members have serious spinal injuries which limit upper body strength, and the electric assistance on the hybrid models provided the assistance we needed to tackle the steepest Pennine climbs.”

Batec handbikes instantly transform an ordinary wheelchair into a rugged tricycle, revolutionising outdoor mobility and maximising independence for wheelchair users.

With a stylish design and unique anchoring system, Batec products fit quickly and easily onto virtually any wheelchair, enabling users to go further, faster and over a wider range of terrain. Available in manual, electric and hybrid configurations, they are designed for use by people with a wide range of disabilities.

Stuart Dunne, Managing Director of Cyclone Technology, explains:

“As a wheelchair user and C6-7 tetraplegic, I know first hand how just life-changing a Batec handbike can be. With Batec, I can accompany my children on their bike rides, knowing I can keep up with them wherever they want to go, without assistance or leaving my wheelchair – which is fantastic.

“I’m not alone in my praise for Batec – the feedback from customers is universally positive. Whether you want to gain access the countryside, make long trips into town easier or keep fit, the right Batec handbike will make it possible.”

Batec handbikes are exclusively available in the UK from Cyclone Technologies. Further information about the products can be found at www.cyclonemobility.com/batec.

Established by a team of wheelchair users with over 120 years’ combined experience of life in a wheelchair, Cyclone Technologies is an independent business that aims to transform the lives of disabled people across the UK. As the UK’s foremost rehabilitation and training specialists, the company offers a full range of treatments, services and products. These include bespoke, lightweight wheelchairs, Functional Electric Stimulation Therapy and equipment, Far Infrared Heat Therapy, ReWalk training and systems, and multi-gyms. Find out more at www.cyclonemobility.com

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