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WheelPower appoints three new advisors at spinal injury centres

WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport has announced the appointment of three new physical activity advisors - Ian Durrant, Karl Nicholson and Alex Jewitt. Who will provide advice and support to patients at spinal injury centres about the importance of being active.

Ian, Karl and Alex will join WheelPower as part of a programme that aims to provide expert advice and practical support to patients at spinal injury centres during their rehabilitation. The programme is part of WheelPower's mission to enable disabled people to participate in sport and lead a healthy active lifestyle.

Ian Durrant will be based at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville, Karl Nicholson (pictured right) at the Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport and Alex Jewitt will be based in Sheffield, Yorkshire at Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre.

Hundreds of patients will benefit from workshops and active sessions such as wheelchair tennis, boccia, target shooting, and slalom races delivered by Ian, Karl and Alex as well as being signposted to local opportunities after being discharged from hospital. 

Karl will bring a wealth of sporting experience to Southport having coached, captained and played for teams in sledge hockey and competed for Great Britain at two Winter Paralympic Games and the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona.

Alex, who was injured in 1997 has been playing tennis recreationally since the day he was discharged from the spinal unit at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital. Alex also participated in WheelPower’s Inter Spinal Unit Games in 1998 and discovered a wide range of wheelchair sport opportunities.

After taking up wheelchair tennis full time following the completion of his university studies and competing at 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympic Games. He now wants to give something back to the spinal centre at Sheffield where his interest in the sport began.

Alex said:

“I’m hoping to help patients find activity and sports that they enjoy and will continue to participate in for many years to come.”


Responsible for over 100 patients and many more outpatients, Ian Durrant will take up the role of physical activity advisor at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Ian is a keen handcyclist and has gained tremendous experience in supporting people that are either newly injured or new to sport in the 25 years since his spinal cord injury.

Ian said:

“Sport keeps me fit and gives me the energy to live life to the full. I hope that by leading, listening and passing on my own experiences I can help others appreciate the role sport can play.“


The three newly appointed advisors make up a team of now six advisors placed in spinal injury centres across the country.

In the last financial year, the programme has delivered 159 sporting sessions and helped 206 recently paralysed patients to live a healthy active lifestyle.

WheelPower provides opportunities, facilities and equipment to enable disabled people to participate in sport and lead healthy active lives.