Why going out with Pedal People has made such a difference to one young man

When he was 18 he lost his balance and fell ten metres over the promenade railings near the Fortune of War pub on Brighton seafront.

He broke his spine, skull, ribs – which punctured both his lungs – split his carotid artery (which supplies the brain with blood), severed his optic nerve, had a subdural haematoma, and was left with brain injuries.

Noah, who lives in Peacehaven, said: “It changed my life completely, but maybe for the better. I am definitely a better person now than I was and it makes you look at life completely differently.

“It takes away all the things you take for granted – eating, drinking, talking, walking – all aspects of dignity. It is all taken away and you are starting from scratch.”

After a year of treatment in multiple hospitals the 22-year-old now enjoys a weekly bike ride with the charity Pedal Power on Brighton beach, he can also walk with crutches and often manages 10,000 steps a day.

Noah, who attended Broadwater CofE School in Worthing before going to Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove, was always very active and had even hoped to become a professional rugby player.

One of the activities he loves to do is to go out with Pedal People on an electric assist trike, which he has been doing for the last two years.

Usually Noah goes out for a 90 minute ride before going on to physio later in the day.

Pedal People is a small accessible cycling charity which offers two services – elder care rides and all ages accessible rides for people who are disabled, have educational needs, long-term health conditions, health challenges or life-limiting illnesses.

Participants enjoy rides that range from 6km to 20km, taking in parks, sea and even allotment adventure.

Active Sussex has helped financially support Pedal People, with £9,930 in phase 3 and £9,882 in phase 4 of the Together Fund – a scheme designed to help reduce the inequalities in activity levels within local communities across Sussex.

Elly Hargreave, captain at Pedal People, said: “We know from our participants, who are all living with disability or health challenges, that rides are often their only outdoor activity or exercise opportunity.

“As well as physical and mental health benefits I think one of the best benefits is the ‘see it to be it’ opportunity. Seeing all-ages and abilities – out so obviously enjoying the rides, plus the super-duper accessible cycles themselves, influences others to try it and see what is possible when there is equal access to cycling.”

Noah is currently training in shot put and hopes to compete for the UK in either the Paris Olympics 2024 or the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The We Are Undefeatable campaign is a national movement involving 15 of the UK’s leading health and social care charities that encourages and supports people with long term health conditions to be active in a way that works for them.

You can learn more about the We are Undefeatable campaign by visiting WeAreUndefeatable.co.uk

You can learn more about Noah and follow his progress by following him on Instagram: @come_on_noah

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