Disability charity founder to run with Paralympic Torch (From Haringey Independent)

Disability charity founder to run with Paralympic Torch

1:10pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

The founder of a Hornsey based charity which supports disabled children will be running with the Paralympic Torch next week.

Sally Bishop, founder the charity for disabled children Action For Kids, has been chosen to run with Paralympic flame through Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire, at 8.30pm on Tuesday August 28.

The charity, based in Tottenham Lane, helps young people with physical and learning disabilities nationwide by providing them with mobility equipment and education services.

The 64-year-old said: “When I first heard the news I would be carrying the flame I was just over the moon. It’s a great honour to be part of the build up and it really is a once in a life time event.

“I think it will be a fantastic experience and will be a great chance to raise the profile of the charity so people know about the work we do.”

Running with Mrs Bishop will be Lorna Marsh, 33, founder of website smoothwheels.co.uk and learning support assistant Lizzie Rose, 23, who have both been supported by the charity.

She said: “I think they’ll both absolutely love it. It’s going to be great.

“I think the Paralympics will really change the way people in this country think about those with disabilities.

“It will be a chance to show the world that despite having a disability people can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.”

Mrs Bishop, started the Action For Kids 21 year ago in her front room in Haringey, before moving the charity to Tottenham then to its current base in Hornsey.

The charity now has more than 35 permanent staff and thousands of volunteers around the country.

She added: “We have a fantastic team here, all of them dedicated to the work and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.”