Superhero: Freddie
Earth years: 4
Hometown: High Wycombe, Bucks
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri powered by Marvel
Your disability and how it challenges you: Visual impairment. I struggle with my balance. I also have a rare speech disorder which gives me communication challenges
Sporting super-stripes: Recently learning to jump on a trampoline
Why you want to take part: I love Superheroes & spending time with my family
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: I have continued to ride my bike
Your Kryptonite: Running fast
Gadget/s of choice: My iPad which talks for me.
Your Superpower: I have a magic eye. It does the job of two eyes!
Superhero: Hugo
Earth years: 4 years old
Hometown: Rugby, West Midlands
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri powered by Marvel
Your disability and how it challenges you: Hugo has a multiple of disabilities that, for most, would be an excuse for him not completing or even trying certain things that life has to offer. Many of these challanges like autism would be a barrier for Hugo howver this doesn’t stop him.
Sporting super-stripes: Hugo thrives in water & has recently learnt how to enter and exit a pool safely & kick his legs. This is definelty Higo’s favoutite place to be esepcially when he is under water where he can shut the noise out around him. So much so that he can easily drift off to sleep!!
Why you want to take part: I want Hugo to participate in the Superhero Tri as I know he will have a fantastic day first & foremost. The driving force is to break down barriers. Hugo will achieve what ever he sets his mind to, & we will be there right beside him, showing the world that he is, in fact, a superhero in his own rights.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: The first two years of Hugo’s life we were overwhelmed by the feeling of needing to protect him from everyone & everything. Over the past 12 months, we have been working very hard to help Hugo’s muscle tone, balance & mobility. With daily running, climbing, swinging and trampolining, & weekly swimming, we have seen such a major improvement in his physical ability.
Your Kryptonite: Hugo’s legs, which we are strengthening through his cycling & his patience. Once Hugo has made his mind up on doing something or going somewhere, he believes he should be able to do so as he wishes.
Gadget/s of choice: Hugo loves his iPad where he is able to dance and sing along to all of his favourite music and nursery rhymes. Hugo also has his super-dooper ear defenders which keep out all of the nasty sounds that hurt his ears and an invisible shunt in his brain that makes his brain super special.
Your Superpower: Hugo has a super eye which does the work of two, but gives the impression he is constantly winking at all of the ladies 😊 He has the dirtiest laugh which is so infectious and has the ability to brighten anyone's day. Hugo has the ability to see the world through rose coloured glasses, he dances to his own tune, he is oblivious to the outside world and why wouldn’t he be, when his world seems so magical. He has taught us to see the beauty in the smallest of things, to stop and feel the grass between our fingers, to feel the wind in our face, to lay on the grass and watch the trees blow above us, to sing Christmas carols at Easter because…..why not?! He has a Golden Heart!!
Hugo has disabilities, he is loving, he is brave, he is so clever, he is pure perfection. Yes he is different, but he is not less, and we are so very proud of him."
Superheroes: Hurricane Twins (Lucas)
Earth years: 17
Hometown: Barnsley South Yorkshire
Your chosen mission: bike section of superhero’s tri
Your disability and how it challenges you: I am autistic and have epilepsy same as my twin Levi (Below) , everyday can be a challenge , I struggle more when I have a nasty seizure but I don’t let epilepsy Beat me
Sporting super-stripes: really enjoy been on my tandam bike with my daddies I like swimming , and football my favourite is bouncing my bouncy ball , I am excellent at catching and can play with it for ages
Why you want to take part: To help show people no matter who you are or what disability you have you can achieve & enjoy life your own unique way.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: the series shows the world anyone can achieve I love been outdoors , I hope it encourages more places to be accessible and inclusive
Your Kryptonite: [what you’ll find the hardest on the day/least looking forward to/biggest barrier to completing the challenge] the biggest challenge will be my epilepsy but the excitement of the day should hopefully keep the seizure monster away
Gadget/s of choice: My co rider tandem bike that I ride with my Daddy
Your Superpower: “Belly laughter”; “Determination.” “A magic right leg that does the work of two!”
I am ace with bouncy balls and can catch with both hand , I love this people watch me with amazement
Superheroes: Hurricane Twins (Levi)
Earth years: 17
Hometown: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Your chosen mission: Tandam bike - Superhero Tri - August 23’
Your disability and how it challenges you: I am Autistc & have a rare form of epilepsy Lennox - Gastout Sundrome. I can get tired if I’ve had a seizure but nothing holds me back.
Sporting super-stripes: I love been outdoors on my bike with dads , I love swimming and pushing myself to try new things
Why you want to take part: To complete the challenge seizure free and have fun , epilepsy try’s to control my life but I refuse to let it stop me doing whatever I like
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: My daddies have always fought and battled for me and my twin Lucas to experience everything any other child does , to take part in something so inclusive is just wonderful
Gadget/s of choice: My wheelchair tandem bike
Your Kryptonite: Tiredness!!
Your Superpower: As my superhero name suggests I can get up through the night and still managed a full day , I don’t like to sleep much 😂
Superhero: Gil
Earth years: 8
Hometown: Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Your chosen mission: Wonderwheels and Superhero tri
Your disability and how it challenges you: I have Cerebral Palsy Hemiplegic this affects the right side of my body , it makes my muscles really tight. .Overall the biggest effect is my confidence, I worry that I cannot do things as well as other people and I worry that I am not strong enough.
Sporting super-stripes: I am on the Swim England para pathway and the FA England football para pathway too I love swimming and football and Cycling too, anything that takes me outdoors is great fun.
Why you want to take part: That's easy because I'm a Superhero I have super strength inside that helps me finish a race.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: Taking part in the superhero series events is really empowering, it makes me feel like an athlete, like I can be a superstar and do anything, it does scare my mum,me jumping into a lake but I love it! And I am really proud that I did it with such a huge group of people , it was such a fun day and everyone was really nice like a really big team of friends.I swim whenever I can and love being out on my bike.This race gave me the confidence to join a swimming club too.
Your Kryptonite: Hardest is leaving , its such a great place and such a fun day, I never want it to end. My cheeky smile and my super strong left side will keep my right side going and be my secret super power.
Gadget/s of choice: I have a cloak which Level Water made for me. I have an awesome skid bike which is really low down and a charity called REMAP helped put some racing wheels on it so I can cycle without falling off the bike, I can go really fast faster than my dad on my super bike.
Your Superpower: My superpower is my energy I have so much energy I am like a lightning bolt and I never never give up, I am even known to be cheeky and tell people to catch me up , come on little Bro is that all you've got?
Superhero: James
Earth years: 10
Hometown: Amesbury Wiltshire
Your chosen mission: Parallel Games 1km run/walk Superheros Tri 2023 2.5km run/walk
Your disability and how it challenges you: Down Syndrome, Autism, Global developmental delay,
Sporting super-stripes: These are our first ever events 😊
Why you want to take part: To have an interest in a more active lifestyle as he grows up, meet more people.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: it's amazing to be apart of such an event, inclusive to everyone
Your Kryptonite: James will struggle with the sheer volume of people and noise, transitioning between events
Gadget/s of choice: James has a wheelchair but hoping not to use it 🤞🏻
Your Superpower: Love, hugs and kisses
Superhero: Debbie
Earth years: 46
Hometown: Mytchett, Surrey
Your chosen mission: Most recently, wheeled 10k in my day chair and Superhero Tri with my husband and daughter a few years ago.
Your disability and how it challenges you: Amputee. Lost leg as a result of Strep A in 2015. Daily challenge of continuing a busy lifestyle despite the hindrance of a missing limb!
Sporting super-stripes: I love playing wheelchair rugby for Berkshire Banshees. I also like climbing and swimming.
Why you want to take part: The events are great fun. There is great comradery amongst the competitors who shout encouragement to each other on their way around. The atmosphere is super friendly and the feeling of getting around the course makes you feel amazing. I’m always surprised that I can do more than I realise.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: It makes me question myself when I say I can’t do something. Often, I just need to get on with it and find myself achieving more than I thought possible.
Your Kryptonite: The cold. I always sign up for the Winter Wonderwheels event, then wonder why as I’m terrible in the cold!!
Gadget/s of choice: I complete these event in my wheelchair, but I use my prosthetic when I’m not doing sports.
Your Superpower: Making chocolate disappear!!
Superhero: Arlo
Earth years: 2yrs (at time of event)
Hometown: Coggeshall Essex
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri
Your disability and how it challenges you: Born with dense bilateral Cataracts … now has bilateral Aphakia & Nystagmus (visual impairments)
I currently have no lense in his eyes. My glasses currently giving approx 2m of vision (all a bit of guess work where he is so young) he has no peripheral vision.
Sporting super-stripes: Arlo had participated in 68 Parkruns with mummy in his running buggy (he aims to achieve his 100 -unofficial- milestone by September.)
Why you want to take part: To build an interest in an active healthy lifestyle as he grows up. Encourage social interaction.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: it’s fantastic to see more inclusive events taking place with high exposure.
Your Kryptonite: Transitions between the different disciplines.
Gadget/s of choice: Floatation aid, bike trailer & running buggy.
Your Superpower: Having the loudest squeal!! (Happy or sad!!)