Unique Mobility supports The Disabled Adventurer in completing 50km off-road wheelchair challenge
Nick Wilson, a disabled war veteran, wheelchair user and accessibility advocate known as The Disabled Adventurer, has begun his 50at50 campaign with the successful completion of its first 50km trail in Devon, with a little help from Unique Mobility along the way.
On 13 April, Nick completed the opening challenge of the year-long campaign, travelling from Bideford to Chivenor in North Devon via the Tarka Trail and the King Charles III England Coast Path, completing the route in nine hours in his powerchair.
Through 50at50, Nick is showing what long-distance accessible adventure can look like in practice, while highlighting how much more is possible with the right equipment.
By raising £150,000, the campaign aims to help fund up to eight all-terrain powerchairs for outdoor venues around the UK, so more disabled people and wounded veterans can explore with greater freedom and confidence.
Much of the route was accessible, but one section required a last minute change of plan to continue the trail, reinforcing the value of clear, reliable accessibility information for wheelchair users planning outdoor journeys.
The challenge also exposed the limits of current powerchair battery performance. During the route, the chair’s battery dropped far more quickly than expected, leaving Nick to reach one battery change point with only eight per cent charge left.
It highlighted how unpredictable battery range can be, and how quickly a long-distance route can become a serious access issue if a wheelchair user is left without enough charge, reliable route information or nearby support.
During the trail, Nick said: “The scenery is incredible and that makes every kilometre worth it, but the day also showed exactly why this campaign matters. The battery drop-off in the second half tested me, but that’s all part of the adventure.
“What I didn’t expect was to find part of the coastal path inaccessible on the day – despite doing all my research beforehand. That’s not a criticism of anyone, it’s a reminder that the sector still has work to do.
“Huge thanks to Lee at Unique Mobility and Kevin from Quantum Rehab for the kit and support that made this possible. The Tarka Trail stepped up and delivered. Hard-standing the whole way, and every bit of it worth it.”
The day required two battery changes, support from Unique Mobility engineer Lee Johns and Quantum Rehab sales manager Kevin Atkins, spare batteries, a support van and a back-up chair, underlining the scale of support currently needed to make 50km possible in his Quantum 4Front 2 powerchair.
The challenge followed a successful visit to Calvert Devon activity centre, where Nick showcased a Quantum Outback all-terrain powerchair that will be donated through the campaign.
He was supported by Unique Mobility, the South West independent mobility retailer, which supplied a demonstration chair for the visit. The centre is developing what is believed to be one of the UK’s first off-road circuits designed specifically to give people the chance to experience this kind of all-terrain powerchair access.
50at50 will see Nick take on further 50km sections of trails and coastlines in the UK, USA, Dubai and Austria during the year he turns 50, while raising funds to support a longer-term legacy of accessible adventure.
The campaign aims to raise £150,000 to help fund up to eight all-terrain powerchairs for charities and outdoor venues around the UK, creating more opportunities for disabled people and wounded veterans to experience the outdoors.
Dibble Digital is the first sponsor supporting the year-long 50at50 campaign. Nick is now looking for further sponsors and partners to help raise £150,000, with donations also being welcomed through www.disabledadventurer.com.
