We were delighted to be invited to speak to Level 1 Health and Social Care students at the Buckinghamshire College Group (BCG) Aylesbury Campus, to raise awareness of spinal cord injury (SCI) and deepen understanding of disability. 

We were joined by our fantastic Ambassador, Kat Panagaki, to deliver a presentation to the students highlighting the challenges faced by those living with SCI and how our research aims to alleviate some of these.

As part of the session, students had the opportunity to ask Kat questions about her lived experience of SCI, providing a rare and valuable insight into life with paralysis.

Students also took on our Wheels at Work challenge, setting themselves a variety of challenges around the college, to gain some understanding of being in a wheelchair (many thanks to Gerald Simonds Healthcare for providing the wheelchairs). By taking part in the initiative, students were able to better understand the daily challenges faced by wheelchair users.

Ahead of our visit, students set about raising funds through organised events such as Tuck Shops and Thrift & Thrive sales. Course tutor, Sonia Mosheshe, joined in the effort completing the Winter Warmer Run at Campbell Park further boosting their fundraising, helping them reach an incredible total of £736.28!

Working with Buckinghamshire College Group has been fantastic. The students enthusiasm to learn, ask questions, and push themselves to understand life with a spinal cord injury was inspiring.

Thank you to all involved - every pound raised helps us fund essential research that makes a real difference to people living with spinal cord injury!