James, Arlo, Levi, and Lucas, a group of young people with various disabilities, have raised nearly £2,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity, by taking part in the Superhero Tri, powered by Marvel. 

The Superhero Tri is an inclusive triathlon which allows superheroes with disabilities to either take on the course alone or to join up with a team of sidekicks to swim, cycle, and walk or run around the course. Teams could either tackle the whole course together or divide and conquer by taking on a section each. 

The group of young people took part in the Superhero Tri for Variety, the Children’s Charity. Variety provides practical support to disabled and disadvantaged children and young adults. They provide equipment grants, wheelchair grants, experiences on their Variety Great Days Out, and fully accessible transport to schools and organisations in the form of their famous Sunshine Coaches. 

The charity was represented by three teams, including some of their past beneficiaries. 2-year-old Arlo from Essex was born with bilateral cataracts and, due to corrective surgery, now has no lenses in his eyes. With his glasses, he has approximately 2m of vision and no peripheral vision. He completed the Superhero Tri with dad, Chris McNeill who completed the swim, uncle Toby Fox-Hammond who completed the cycle, and mum Amber Fox-Hammond who completed the run. Arlo thoroughly enjoyed the day, especially being towed around with his bucket of snacks. 

10-year-old James from Wiltshire has Down’s Syndrome, global developmental delay, and autism. He and his family went to Variety, the Children’s Charity for help funding a bag of sensory toys which have helped with his motor and communication skills, as well as his ability to regulate his emotions. James completed the Superhero Tri with his mum, Heather, and sisters Eliza and Katelin. Katelin completed the swim, Eliza completed the cycle section, and Heather and James finished the final walking section. James took great pride in showing off his medal, which is the same size and weight as the Olympic and Paralympic medals. 

17-year-old Levi and Lucas from Barnsley are twins with severe autism, developmental delay, severe learning difficulties, are pre-verbal, and can require round-the-clock care and supervision. They are also severely epileptic and have been hospitalised throughout their lives due to seizures. Levi, Lucas, and their family went to Variety for help funding sensory equipment, including bubble tubes and sensory lights. They completed the Superhero Tri with dads Michael and Paul Atwal-Brice, brothers Lotan and Lanson (age 5), carer Sam, and Team Variety supporter Darren. 

Challenges and Community Partnership Officer at Variety, the Children’s Charity, Sarah Phillips said: 

“I am so proud of all our fantastic superheroes and their sidekicks! Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a fantastic day. 

“Events like the Superhero Tri are crucial to making the world a more inclusive place. It was wonderful to see Team Variety – including some of our beneficiaries – have such an amazing day. There were smiles all round, which is what we strive for as a charity. 

“A huge well done to everyone who took part. We can’t wait for next year!” 

For more information on Variety, the Children’s Charity, visit http://www.variety.org.uk.