Aylesbury charity WheelPower launches online fitness videos for children

Wheelpower want to engage younger people with physical activity

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 27th Jan 2021

Wheelpower is hoping to help young people in Aylesbury and beyond.

There are 10 new workout videos that have been released by Wheelpower focused on Primary and Secondary school children, with 5 per age group.

The focus of these was to create engaging and fun workout videos, lead by someone in a wheelchair.

Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of Wheelpower says that it started from a Christmas special, that was well received by disabled children and families:

"There is one that is princess and heroes, another is a dice one where Ella rolls the dice and whatever number comes up you have to do that activity.

"They're really innovative interactive range of things and I think they will appeal to boys and girls of all ages.

"Ella has been involved in wheelchair sport and coming to Wheelpower events since she was a child, so it's wonderful that she is able to inspire the next generation.

"It is really important that disabled children and their families feel that there is something positive to do because there is a lot of negativity around and this is a way to have a positive outlook and do something fun.

They are lead by Ella Beaumont, who is a former GB Wheelchair Basketball player, and throughout the pandemic have created some fantastic fitness resources for disabled people to enjoy from their homes.

This year has been really difficult for Wheelpower though, like so many other groups have lost funding through cancelled events or events that had to change which resulted in a drop in fundraising.

However, Martin says they knew despite funding challenges the children at home needed something targeted towards them:

"Disabled children are 50% less likely to be active than their able peers, so it is really important they have access to things geared towards them.

"Our events around the country have had to come to a stop and we really wanted to be creative and still get young disabled children involved in physical activity.

"This is one way that we can do that, and I am keen that we don't stop doing that when the pandemic ends because it can reach people we wouldn't have before.

"We hope is has been inspiring for them because we have really enjoyed making them."

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