Double gold medal winning Paralympian, Richard Whitehead MBE, is asking Special Olympics GB athletes, volunteers and families to join him for a run, walk, hop or roll and raise money to help more people with a disability get active. 

One of the most-inclusive events of its type in the UK, Run with Rich is FREE for all Special Olympics GB registered athletes and volunteers and is a family friendly, fun, inclusive and welcoming event, which sees disabled and non-disabled people take part together in a unified way. 

Richard Whitehead MBE, who competes on prosthetics after being born with a double through-knee congenital amputation, won 200 metre gold at both the London 2012 and the Rio 2016 Paralympics during a stella athletics career which included becoming a World and European Champion on multiple occasions and saw him become one of the Britain’s most well-known disabled runners. 

Now he combines his time with helping disabled people overcome different challenges and help remove obstacles which may otherwise prevent them from achieving their potential. He launched his own charity, the Richard Whitehead Foundation, which provides people with mentoring, equipment, and support. 

A big part of the foundation’s work is encouraging people to get active and on 18 June Richard will be at Holme Pierrepoint Country Park in Nottingham for the charity’s annual Run with Rich inclusive fundraising event. 

There are two distance options at the event: a one-mile route which includes sensory experiences and is perfect for families with small children, people with complex needs, or those who have just started running; and a 5km loop around the beautiful lake at Holme Pierrepoint. 

Richard will be taking part in both runs, meaning anyone who signs up will be able to run alongside one of Britain’s most successful Para athletes. 

Laura Baxter MBE, Strategic Director of Growth & Legacy at Special Olympics GB said “Through sport and physical activity, Special Olympics GB provide opportunities for people with Intellectual Disabilities to make friends, learn social skills, feel part of a community, increase confidence and self-esteem, realise potential, develop physical fitness and mental well-being, demonstrate courage and experience joy and pride.  Supporting the Richard Whitehead Foundation by signposting our athletes, volunteers and families to this inclusive and unifying event promotes the drive for accessible opportunities to be physically active together which is aligned to the Special Olympics GB strategy ‘Inclusion in Action” 

Paul Brackley, Project Manager for the charity, said: “Our Run with Rich event is not only an important fundraising event for the foundation which will help us expand our work and help more people with a disability, but it is also a fantastic example of what we stand for as a charity. 

“It is completely inclusive; anyone can take part their own way. Whether that means running, walking or rolling or going the distance with a running frame, wheelchair, or crutches – everyone is welcome to take part their way with Rich and be part of something very special.” 

To book your place now, visit: www.whitehead.foundation/runwithrich2023 . 

If you are a Special Olympics GB registered member and are attached to an Accredited Special Olympics GB club local to Nottingham, please reach out to your club main contact for information about how to book.