Nissan GB and its charity partner the Richard Whitehead Foundation are proud to have launched the first phase of the Supported Runner Project as part of the ongoing Nissan Possibilities Project.
The Supported Runner Project aims to make running events more inclusive by providing direct help to disabled runners in the form of support runners. These volunteers will accompany disabled participants before, during and after running events, helping to remove some of the challenges and barriers they may encounter.
The Possibilities Project aims to increase participation opportunities for all, particularly the 16 million people in the UK with a disability.
The announcement of the Supported Runner Project comes as a recent study by OnePoll revealed that four in 10 people with disabilities don’t feel confident enough to participate in sporting events.
Increased provision
The study of 700 people with disabilities found that 56 percent of those asked felt they wouldn’t be seen as a priority when it came to participating in such events, and more than half believe access to trained volunteers would give them the confidence necessary to take part.
As Official Partner of the Great Run Series, Nissan was due to pilot the Supported Runner Project at this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run, which took place on Sunday. The project will also be operating at the AJ Bell Great South Run on October 15th and will work with schemes already in place to increase the provision for runners with disabilities.
The Richard Whitehead Foundation, supported by Nissan, will provide comprehensive training to the volunteers, so that they are able to offer support appropriate to the needs of the runner they are matched with.
Gold-medal winning Paralympian, marathon runner and Nissan GB’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ambassador Richard Whitehead said: “Growing up and throughout my career, I’ve witnessed first-hand the challenges that disabled people face in order to take part in sporting events, so I’m delighted to work with Nissan GB to help remove some of these barriers.”
Runners who are interested in volunteering as a Support Runner for events in 2024 can contact [email protected] or visit the Supported Runner Project website.