British wheelchair users set record for most on ice

From World Record Academy:

LEEDS, UK --106 wheelchair users gathered at the Ice Cube in Leeds Millennium Square during an event organized by Linda Boadle from the Physical and Sensory Impairment Network at Voluntary Action-Leeds setting the world record for the Largest gathering of wheelchair users on ice.

“I am thrilled that so many people turned up to the event. We have been amazed at the support the event has received and I would like to thank everybody who has been involved”, said Linda Boadle from the Physical and Sensory Impairment Network at Voluntary Action-Leeds who organised the event.

The previous world record for the Largest gathering of wheelchair users on ice was 48 people and was set at the Eden Project last year.

The Ice Cube has been holding weekly free sessions on ice for wheelchair users.

Mrs Boadle, 63, said it was great Leeds City Council was making the rink so accessible to wheelchair users and those with disabilities and encouraged people to give it a go because it was so exciting. The gran-of-three said: "You just go 'wow'.

The PSINetwork (Leeds) is a project managed by Voluntary Action-Leeds.

The Ice Cube is the UK's largest temporary outdoor ice rink. It is supported by the Yorkshire Evening Post and Radio Aire and will be open until Sunday March 8.

"One of the issues for many wheelchair users in particular, but probably also for people with sensory impairment, is that the ability to take risks can be limited by non-disabled people – for the best possible reasons."

She said: "I have a powered wheelchair which will go on the ice. "It's not controllable in the same way – but it's enormous fun. "The manual wheelchairs can self-propel but the marshalls can push you, which is a wonderfully exhilarating feeling."