Cycle Champion visits Buckingham Palace
Cycle Champions beneficiary and local cycling celebrity, Caroline Waugh, attended the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace last week, along with CTC’s Steve Marsden.
In 1988 Caroline suffered a brain injury in a car accident resulting in paralysis down her left hand side and now suffers from problems with her balance and eyesight. She was reliant on a motorised scooter to get around for many years, however through her own determination and enthusiasm, and with help from CTC’s Cycle Champions programme, she learnt to ride a recumbent three-wheeled bike.
Caroline works tirelessly to encourage and support other people with disabilities to cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle and gain independent mobility. She describes the feeling of helping people find freedom of movement to be “a real buzz.”
As a result of her hard work with many disability groups across Sheffield, Caroline was invited to attend the special event and she chose Steve to accompany her to thank him for his instrumental role in helping her to get her life back on track.
Caroline found the day to be exciting but also understandably nerve-racking!
“I found the day totally 'awe inspiring' but yet I couldn't really relax, I was scared in case I said something outrageous! It really wasn't the time or place! Even though Steve kept telling me it was my day, and he would take care of me.”
Steve explained that the most enjoyable part of the day was meeting people from all different walks of life:
“We all chatted about why we were there and about our lives, backgrounds and jobs. We met a variety of different people from all over the country; ex police, army, and a conservative MP from Essex who was very interested in the Hillsborough project as she was from Hillsborough!”
The excitement of the day left Caroline looking to the future:
“As I relaxed with a glass of wine on the train on our way home, I did wonder what next year would bring!”
Stay up-to-date with Caroline’s work by reading her highly entertaining and insightful blog: http://dontsweatmuchforafatlass.blogspot.com
Published by: Travel Actively on Thursday July 28 2011
