A special event called the 'Forget Me Not Skate' was organized in London by the group Wheels and Wheelchairs along with the bereavement charity Grief Encounter. The event aimed to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Participants, including wheelchair users and skaters, skated a total of 10 miles from Battersea Park to The Strand and back.
The idea for the skate was inspired by a similar event called the 'Forget-Me-Not Walk' organized by Grief Encounter during the Covid pandemic. The president of Wheels and Wheelchairs, who is a wheelchair user, highlighted that the event was a way to skate in memory of someone special.
The group remembered individuals like their former president Janet Richards and fellow skater Alan Paxford, who had passed away. Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reflect on memories with their lost loved ones in a meaningful way.
Approximately 40 skaters and three wheelchair users attended the event, raising over £500. The funds raised will support the Bereavement Support Services provided by Grief Encounter and the activities of Wheels and Wheelchairs. The president of Wheels and Wheelchairs mentioned that the funds will enable them to organize more trips abroad and allow wheelchair users to experience marathons in different locations.
Looking ahead, the group plans to undertake a challenge in August, skating from Brighton to Paris over four days to mark the start of the Paralympic Games. This upcoming skate holds special significance as Wheels and Wheelchairs, founded in 2012, drew inspiration from a French group called Mobile En Ville, who visited London for the Games.
The successful fundraising efforts will contribute towards the group's future initiatives and enable them to continue their meaningful work in honoring the memories of lost loved ones.
For those interested in supporting the cause, the fundraising link can be accessed here.
