John Willis, founder and CEO of Cambridge based charity Power2Inspire, set up his organisation two and a half years ago to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sporting activities. The 55-year-old, who was born without fully formed limbs, has inspired many people around the world who are passionate about fulfilling their sporting potential.
As the Rio Paralympic Games have just ended, John has taken on an enormous challenge of attempting all 34 sports featured in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
John’s Road2Rio
The ‘Road2Rio’ campaign aims to raise funds for the charity and generate awareness of disabilities and inclusion in sport, bringing together both disabled and able-bodied people to play together.
Mr Willis plans to raise £50,000 for the organisation to help anybody interested in sport take part, “regardless of body type, age, disability or ethnicity.”
John explains: “I want to inspire everybody to be more active and to join in. The benefits are not just physical but mental as well.”
The money raised will go towards delivering the Powerhouse Games, a series of mini sports days designed to be inclusive and adaptable for people of all abilities.
I want to inspire everybody to be more active and to join in, the benefits are not just physical but mental as well.
He continues: “The all-inclusive PowerHouse Games allow people to question their limitations and transform their aspirations.”
“Children learn to challenge their assumptions, respect people’s differences and explore their understanding of what they can do.”
So far, John has successfully completed 27 of the sporting activities – from Judo and Taekwondo to diving and water polo.
“Judo was great fun and I wish I had learnt these skills at 15 not 55.”
“When you are disabled you feel a lot more vulnerable in difficult situations than maybe other people do. So I was really thrilled to be taught some good self-defence moves.”
Taking the First Step
If you are interested in trying a new sport or taking up a new hobby, but feel there might be barriers in the way to taking the first step, John has some advice:
“Be bold, be brave and ask for help. Ten or twenty years ago there was a reasonable excuse that as a disabled person you feel you might be rejected. You may need to be patient and think about how you are going to do it, but just ask, because people are enthusiastic and willing to help.”
To keep up to date with John’s Road2Rio campaign, you can visit his website and show your support here.
