A CHAIRMAN of a Yorkshire charity is tackling a 24-hour journey on a mobility scooter later this month to highlight the everyday challenges facing people with disabilities.

Martyn Weller, of Acomb, in York, will be travelling from Disability Action Yorkshire’s (DAY) Harrogate headquarters to the charity’s new holiday lodge in Kenwick Park Estate, Louth, Lincolnshire, on June 30 and July 1.

The 52-year-old must average 5.2mph to complete the 125-mile journey – his scooter is flat out at only 8mph.

Martyn, who can only use footpaths or minor roads, has special permission to ride over the Humber Bridge using the cycle lane.

As well as drawing attention to mobility issues facing disabled people, Martyn will be raising funds to help pay for the charity’s new holiday home – one of only a handful in the country specially adapted for people with disabilities.

Martyn, who was born with spina bifida, said: “Many disabled people face mobility challenges every day because public transport isn’t particularly user friendly and they have to rely on others to help them travel any distance. We get fantastic fundraising support from non-disabled people, but I wanted to show that a disabled person can also take on a challenge and make a difference.”

Hull-based The Mobility Partnership, one of the UK’s largest retailers of mobility scooters, is providing two mobility scooters for the journey.

One of their team will be travelling alongside Martyn in a support van with 12 batteries.

Owner Ian Richmond says: “The batteries will only last for six hours so Martyn will have to stop for a quick change every 35 miles or so. His biggest challenge on the journey will be the weather.”

On the 24-hour “DAY to DAY” challenge Martyn, who runs an outdoor pursuits company near York, will travel through Wetherby, York, Howden, Cottingham, Hessle, Brigg and on to Louth.

Disability Action Yorkshire has spent £50,000 equipping the new holiday lodge set in woodland in the 320-acre Kenwick Park Estate Disability Action Yorkshire provides residential care, home care and training for disabled people throughout the region.