BBQ & Sporting Activities Day 2017

The annual Spinal Injuries Scotland Barbecue and Activities Day was held at the Castle Semple Visitor Centre on Wednesday the 28th June. For once the weather turned up in a reasonable mood with a good blow for the sailboats. Over 150 people turned up, with a shuttle bus ferrying many patients and a host of staff from the spinal injuries unit. The fabulous SIS volunteers turned up en masse too, along with our friends and partners from Digby Brown and Bullen Healthcare, so we were set for a great day!

Activities on what was, in every sense, a taster day ranged from sailing, kayaking, canoeing, powerboating, hand biking and cheeseburger demolition, this last one for the hungry but fainthearted!

The powerboating was as popular as ever with everyone, allowing people to sit in their own wheelchair if they needed to, but still experience the adrenaline rush of speed and spray!

Wednesday 28thJune 2017

The windy day lent itself to folk whizzing about the loch on the boats provided, and the exhilaration was clear on the faces of those coming back to shore. And even if many a hairdo had to be reassembled afterwards, it was clearly worth it!

The kayaking catered for the more intrepid and independent with the added security of a floating device that prevented capsizing. See the photos of people with gritted teeth determination to have their kayak and beat it! (Apologies for that pun! –Ed)

The variety of hand bikes for use meant an endless parade of cyclists lapping the track and simply enjoying the wind in their hair, as they propelled themselves around the track with an enthusiasm and energy that made the rest of us pedestrians feel tired just watching them!

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Activities on what was, in every sense, a taster day, ranged from sailing, kayaking, canoeing, powerboating, hand biking and cheeseburger demolition...

The variety of hand bikes for use meant an endless parade of cyclists lapping the track...

All in all, a great day, a great warm and friendly atmosphere and people given access to wind, water and the joy of movement.

Inside, away from the blur of activities, were a number of information stands. As well as the SIS stand and the stands for our friends and partners from Digby Brown and Bullen Healthcare, there were a variety of stalls ranging from arts and crafts, home-made cakes and tablet and even a nail technician! Every one of the stall holders made a generous donation to the work of SIS!

The barbecue, generously provided by our friends from Digby Brown, enjoyed a general popularity with many a sharpened appetite satisfied by the excellent burgers, sausages and salad on offer. On the grounds of personal safety we decided to forego the barbecue, such was the anticipated rush. Our thanks to all the fantastic SIS peer support volunteers who had turned up selflessly to support the day. We hope they know we appreciate everything they do!

All in all, a great day, a great warm and friendly atmosphere and people given access to wind, water and the joy of movement. Spinal Injuries Scotland would like to thank everyone who came along and everyone involved in supporting the day!

PS. For those who loved the new experience of sailing, kayaking or hand-biking, the charity has a small amount of money available to allow you to further your interest by facilitating and funding some individual or group lessons at Castle Semple in your favourite activity. Get in touch via our peer supporters or our office for details. You know you want to!