David Completes an Incredible 30 Wheelchair Marathons in 30 Days

July 31, 2019| Disabled Living | General

David in his wheelchair completing the course

Three times HBSA Disabled Sportsperson of the year David Williamson has completed an incredible 30 wheelchair marathons in 30 days. This is something which has never been achieved before.

David from Petersfield (40) who works for car finance company Moneybarn, had both legs amputated through the knee when he was a few months old, having been born without tibia bones. As well as pushing marathons and being a five-time participant in the Great South Run, David has also completed a 24-hour wheelchair push. He has also played over 300 games for South Hants Sitting Volleyball. In 2016 he was the recipient of the 2016 #wecandoit Personal Achievement Award.

Since 14th June 2019 David has been pushing a marathon a day, back-to-back with no rest days!

Using athletics tracks in the South East of England and then down on the sea front at Southsea, David completed his 30^th, and final marathon, at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on Saturday, 13^th July. This coincided with the LimbPower MoJo MaraFun Day.

All funds raised from the 30 in 30 challenge will be split equally between:

LimbPower – launched in November 2009, engaging amputees and individuals with limb impairments in physical activity, sport and the arts to improve quality of life and aid lifelong rehabilitation. In July 2014 LimbPower became a National Disability Sports Organisation and working with the Activity Alliance and Sport England, helps amputees and people with limb impairment reach their sporting potential as well as providing support and resources for families and healthcare professionals.

“What David has achieved with his 30 in 30 challenge is beyond words,” said LimbPower CEO Kiera Roche. “Not only has he raised an amazing amount of money which will enable us to continue our work. But he has also raised awareness of disability sport by taking the dis out of disability.”

portrait of David smiling in his wheelchair

Three-year-old Felicity has undiagnosed genetic conditions which the doctors think cause all of the different problems she has. She has three brain conditions, is visually impaired, has reflux and epilepsy. Felicity also has twitches every day that cannot be controlled by medication. Due to the complexity of her conditions, she needs 24-hour care.

“It’s just incredible what David has put himself through. He’s an inspiration for everyone – able and less able.” – Felicity’s parents.

Four-year-old Emerson developed a cyst on his spine when he was just two years old which paralysed him from the waist down. He lost all movement in his lower body and is unable to walk.

“David has been such an important part of Emerson’s journey so far. He’s been a real inspiration and a great role model for Emerson.” – Emerson’s parents.

“I knew going into this event that it would be the biggest, hardest, most daunting challenge of my life, “says David. “Physically I’m exhausted, I’m beaten up and broken down from day after day of pushing over 26 miles with no time to recover and reboot. Mentally it’s been a roller coaster of days when it’s been tough and days when it’s been even tougher – those are the days when I had to really dig deep and just keep going.”

“But failure was never an option and at the end of the day I kept reminding myself why I was doing it – for LimbPower and for Felicity and Emerson.”

“I was told – over and over again – that pushing 30 marathons in 30 days in a wheelchair was impossible. And I agreed. But I did it anyway.” said David.

To support David in this epic challenge please make a donation at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dw30in30

For further information please contact: