Communication aid user Jamie Preece, a volunteer with Sehffield Cycling 4 all, is going a long way to help an organisation for others in a similar position – by doing a 500-mile charity challenge.
Jamie, who lives in Kilnhurst, Rotherham with his partner Emma and their two children, has cerebral palsy which affects his movement and speech but it is only in the last few years that he has started using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which he says has changed his life.
However, Communication Matters the main organisation representing those who use AAC in Britain is facing a cash crisis.
So Jamie, who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter, hit upon his 500 Miles Without A Voice fundraiser.
He explains: “Communication Matters aims to increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of the needs of people who struggle to communicate. Due to the pandemic they are facing financial difficulties and will likely cease to exist in the next year. We cannot allow this to happen.
I am a communication device user and the charity means a lot to me and others in the AAC community so I am going to spend the month of August raising awareness and funds.
I love riding my mobility scooter but do not have my communication device on it. I will ride my scooter most days or maybe every day throughout August and aim to do 500 miles without a voice. All my rides will be tracked on the Strava app and posted on Facebook.”
So far he has raised just over a third of his £1000 target. If you would like to help him get there you can do so on his Just Giving page.
