Sports wheelchair donation helps Newcastle man train for Great North Run

Paul Stephens, 67, who had his lower left leg amputated in December 2022, received the wheelchair through the Newcastle-based Healthworks charity, which purchased it with the help of a £700 donation from homebuilder Lovell and rental property developer Placefirst.

The two companies are working in partnership to deliver 146 energy-efficient rental homes at Benwell Dene, off Delaval Road in the West End of the city.

They each gave £350 to the Healthworks charity, which works with communities across the North East on outreach projects to improve health, wellbeing and life outcomes regardless of the challenges people face.

Healthworks Senior Manager of Health Promotion, Julie Stephens, who is also Paul’s wife, thanked the North East region of Lovell and Placefirst for getting involved.

Julie said: “It’s lovely that they are in the local community and that they want to help. And it’s great when local grassroots charities have some help and assistance, because you can really see what’s been bought and how it has helped.”

The wheelchair has made a big difference as Paul trained for the Great North Run because it is much lighter than a traditional wheelchair. He also trains on a treadmill using his prosthetic limb.

Paul will be part of a 12-person Healthworks team taking part in the event on Sunday 7 September and he intends to complete as much as he can on foot, only using the wheelchair when required.

He said: “Running a half marathon has always been something I wanted to do, but life had other plans. A few years ago, I had to undergo a lower leg amputation, which changed everything. However, it never took away my determination. Now, more than ever, I’m ready to take on this challenge - my way.

“With the incredible support of my team, who will be giving me a push in my wheelchair along the way, and the amazing encouragement from the gym team at Healthworks, I’m training harder than ever. Having recently received my new leg, this journey is about proving to myself – and to others – that no obstacle is too big when you have the right support.”

The team, including Paul, are raising money for Useful Vision which supports children with visual impairments, and which came under the Healthworks umbrella in January.

Healthworks, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, offers a range of health and wellbeing services and education for people of all ages and abilities.

As part of the growing relationship between the North East region of Lovell and Healthworks, the homebuilder carried out volunteering work for the charity earlier this year.

Phil Jones, Director of Land and Partnerships at the North East region of Lovell, who is also taking part in the Great North Run as part of a Lovell team raising money for Oasis Community Housing, said: “Paul is inspirational in his determination to achieve this long-held ambition, despite going through amputation, and we hope the sports wheelchair has helped him.

“Healthworks is a life-changing organisation making a big difference to communities and individuals by working to reduce health inequality, so it is an excellent cause for us to support locally.

“Good luck to Paul and the whole Healthworks team taking part in the Great North Run this weekend. I will see you there!”