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Meet our Superhero ambassadors
We’re extremely proud to present our intrepid family of ambassadors, whose abundant Superhero spirit has seen them turn many of life’s obstacles into opportunities. By sharing their stories, they hope to give all you budding Superheroes out there the encouragement you need to sign up & find your power!
Founder Sophia Warner
The bionic force behind this epic series is Paralympian Sophia Warner. “I’m thrilled to introduce my ambassadors & my inspiration for the Series. Please sign up & join us. I promise you won’t regret it!”
Sophia’s superpower: Energising tenacity.
Carmela
This Superhero was only four years old when she attended her first Superhero event, but straight away we could see she was a little star. Her big heart & personality have seen her feature in our super highlights programmes, win a place in our Celebrity Tris & help warm up participants on stage at our live missions. She even stars in a children’s book & has done a spot of TV presenting for our super events!
The 10-year-old has a progressive muscle-wasting condition called LMNA Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, which has also led to further health conditions, including Lipodystrophy & liver disease, so a strict diet & as much exercise as possible are super important. But limited energy & muscle strength makes exercising very difficult.
“I try to stay motivated by helping others in similar situations,” explains Carmela. “I share positive thoughts, exercises & activities online, & fundraise for charities to give hope to other children like me.” With thousands of online followers & a staggering £400,000 raised to date, it’s clear her super efforts are having an amazing impact on people’s lives.
Carmela also keeps her spirits high by giving her all at our Superhero missions every year, along with her Sidekick Mum & Dad, & four-legged friend Tinker the toy poodle. “They all have to try to keep up with my superpower SPEED, as I whizz around the route on my adapted trike & powerchair!” she says. “Being part of the Superhero Series is like being part of a second family because of the comradeship, inclusion, the buzz & awesome atmosphere. I wouldn't want to miss it for the world.” It’s Superheroes like Carmela that make our events so super!
Carmela’s superpower: “SPEED!”
Jenni, Steve & ‘Tiny Tornado’ Eve
What a privilege it has been to watch our youngest ambassador blossom since our debut event. This cheeky, determined Superhero certainly knows when there’s a crowd watching & took her first-ever independent steps at a Superhero ‘Come & Tri day’ when Channel 4 just happened to be filming her!
“That was the single best moment,” recalls Supermum Jenni who, along with Superdad Steve, is a big lover of sport. “We always intended to be an active family but when we first had Eve, who has an extremely rare chromosome condition & epilepsy, we wondered whether it was still going to be possible. Superhero Series shows that it definitely is!”
You will see Team Williams taking part as a family at every Superhero event & they hope to encourage other families to give it a try alongside them. “These events give everyone an equal chance to experience the true power of sport – the thrill of competing, the camaraderie, the sense of achievement,” says Jenni. “That’s why it’s the best sporting event in the world.”
Tiny Tornado Eve’s superpower: “Determination, cheekiness, an infectious love of life & a nose-crinkling grin that can light up the darkest corners of the universe!”
Jenni’s superpower: “A very well developed Mummy instinct coupled with a grizzly bear-style protective streak.”
Steve’s superpower: “The ability to make Eve laugh in a way that no-one else can.”
Chloe & Stephan
This father & daughter team are nothing short of remarkable. They have completed hundreds of sporting challenges together over the years, including half marathons, marathons, duathlons, triathlons & more, showing what’s possible with the right equipment, support & super spirit.
At previous Superhero Tri events, it’s been known for this duo to complete four missions in one day – yes four! – using their super-cool kayak, which Stephan used to tow Chloe for the swim stage, before attaching her racing chair to his bike for the cycle & lastly disconnecting it for the glory push/run home.
“Over the past few years we’ve been encouraging Chloe, who has cerebral palsy, global developmental delay & visual impairment, to wheel herself more & more with me guiding her & she’s loving it!” explains Stephan. “When it’s my turn to pull & push, she keeps me going with her laughter & words of encouragement. She gives me the strength to take on anything.”
Chloe’s superpower: “Inspiration.”
Stephan’s superpower: “Determination.”
Sonic Sofia
It’s easy to spot ‘Team Sofia’ at our events. Kitted out from head to toe in purple, Sonic Sofia & her super crew of friends & family spread energy & enthusiasm wherever they go.
This special spark has served our sports-mad ambassador well & when she was only two years old she conquered a super-bug. “I contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia, which caused a lot of damage to my right leg & my left leg had to be amputated to save my life,” explains Sofia. “But I don’t let it stop me doing what I love – sport!” Sofia’s many passions include racing on her handcycle, Phoenix, & competing at dressage events.
The teen has also smashed countless sporting challenges over the years with her family, fundraising many thousand of pounds for Meningitis Research Foundation along the way. We can’t wait to see what this real-life Supergirl does next!
Sofia’s superpower: “Supersonic sprinting speed.”
Sophie Christiansen
Is there nothing our resident Wonder Woman can’t do? Sophie graduated with a first-class Masters in mathematics, leading to a high-pressure job as a City analyst, which, until recently, she juggled with an illustrious sporting career that saw her become an eight-time Paralympic dressage champion! She also has two Superhero aliases Ambassador & Celebrity Team Captain!
The highlight of the Series for Sophie is “meeting my amazing competition-winning teammates & their families who all overcome challenges with a smile”. From the look on their faces on event day, the feeling’s mutual!
“We need more events like these where ability, age, gender & disability don't matter – nor how you complete it,” says Sophie. “I love riding my recumbent trike & what sets these events apart is the fact that I can compete alongside my boyfriend, who loves running.
“These events are also great fun &, over the years, have provide me a much-needed release from the stresses of elite sport!”
Sophie’s superpower: “Always striving to be the best I can be.”
Freya
We’re super-pleased to be able to introduce you to the fabulous Freya, who is a shining example of the superpower of sport. Previously quiet & isolated, Freya has found new purpose & confidence since joining her local swimming group, the Tadcaster Stingrays, & taking part in our Superhero events. “This Series has introduced us to a whole new world where no explanations are needed & everyone just gets on with being a part of sport,” says Freya’s mum Kristen. “It’s been a game-changer for us.”
Freya is now one busy Superhero. She’s the proud owner of multiple Stingray medals, is a Special Olympics member, part of two dance clubs, a drama club, volunteers locally and is studying at an academy, where she works on the regular newsletter. She’s also a regular at our events, of course, along with her Sidekick brother.
When asked what she hopes to achieve in this role, Freya says: “To help children to be the best children in the whole world, to get involved in swimming, cycling & running, & to get everyone together.” Now these are goals we can get behind.
Freya’s superpower: “To cycle really fast.” Mum Kristen adds: “Freya's steely determination, not seeing her disabilities as a barrier & her remarkable ability to make everyone feel happy. Her most used phrase is, ‘I can do this!’”
