Paralympian wheelchair rugby star Kylie Grimes MBE – who made history as part of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning team at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo – has visited Neurokinex in Crawley to present medals to two paralysed youngsters who completed a fundraising challenge.
A Neurokinex client herself, Kylie was only too pleased to meet Scarlett, 12, and nine-year-old Jasper, and hear how they had ‘gone the extra mile’ in the Step Up Challenge which aims to raise £20,000.
The funds are needed to safeguard the Neurokinex Step Up Scheme which provides a life-changing set of six free rehab sessions to adults and children with a new spinal cord injury.
An absolute lifeline for many, which enables people to access the world-class Neurokinex facilities and expertise, the scheme costs the Neurokinex Charitable Trust £420 per person to fulfil and relies on funding for its survival.
Kylie, alongside fellow gold medallist Jonathan Coggan MBE, have both committed their backing to safeguarding the Step Up Scheme.
“A Neurokinex client myself, I know how vitally important it is for everyone to be able to access these facilities,” says Kylie.
“I was keen to come to Crawley to meet the children who had completed their challenge, have a chat to them and present them with their medals.”
Scarlett completed her ‘extra mile’ on the Locomotor Trainer – a modified treadmill device. It was the longest time and furthest distance she’d walked since her spinal cord injury two years ago. It took her just over 40 minutes and was very challenging, but she was determined to complete the distance.
Jasper stepped a mile on the Locomotor Trainer, swam one mile and water-skied one mile to complete his Step Up Challenge.
Kylie also gave medals to the Neurokinex trainers who had gone the extra mile themselves by running the distance in three-legged pairs last week.
“When you’re newly injured, it can be confusing and hard to know where to turn and who can help you,” says Kylie.
“The Neurokinex Step Up Scheme gives vital support, reassurance and help to people and gives them the chance to try its innovative programmes and specialist therapies.”
To help Neurokinex reach its £20,000 target, please donate to the Step Up Challenge here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nkstepup2022
