Twin Town Challenge aims to raise £250,000 for SpecialEffect

Enabling someone with a physical disability to enjoy video games, leisure technology and communication also helps to promote rehabilitation, inclusion and confidence. Because every case is different the charity will visit individuals to find out what their requirements are and what they’ll need to make that a reality. SpecialEffect will then modify or create equipment for the individual free of charge. The charity also works closely with technology companies that require specialist advice on making their products inclusive to a wider range of people.

The SpecialEffect website features a range of videos featuring cases where the charity has helped individuals including Ajay, an IT support analyst with spinal muscular atrophy, who is now able to enjoy video games via the use of a chin controlled joystick and voice control; and Lloyd, who lost both legs and some of his fingers on his right hand while serving in Afghanistan. The charity provided Lloyd with a range of one handed games controllers and, after finding one that was just right, Lloyd is now able to compete with his friends once again, which is helping to revive his quality of life.

Charity trustee Nick Moglia, CEO of ProLabs, a network infrastructure provider, commented: “I’ve known Dr Mick Donegan, SpecialEffect’s CEO, for many years. My real involvement started by raising funds by doing the Three Peaks Challenge and running the Athens Marathon. I was initially asked to become an ambassador and more recently was honoured to be asked to be a Trustee.”

This May, the charity will aim to raise £250,000 through its Twin Town Challenge (www.twintown16.co.uk), a Top Gear style event involving 100 cars costing no more than £500. They will travel from Witney to its twin town of Le Touquet in France, taking in the racing circuits at Silverstone and Abbeville, and a series of points-based challenges along the way.

Teams consist of up to four members with an entry fee of £995. Each team is encouraged to raise at least £1,000 for SpecialEffect, which in turn will earn bonus points to help them win the Twin Town Challenge Memorial Trophy. Total donations towards the event have so far reached over £53,000.

Moglia added: “SpecialEffect’s work is inspirational and life changing so it was a no brainer for them to become the chosen charity for ProLabs. We have supported SpecialEffect in many ways, majorly by sponsoring their key event, the Twin Town Challenge in both 2014 and 2016.” Donations to the charity can be made via www.specialeffect.org.uk.