News
Disabled Lewisham teen taking part in Superheroes Tri this weekend to raise funds for a racing wheelchair
01 Dec 2023
Yasmina Bez, 14, who lives with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) which affects her mobility will be taking part in the Superhero Tri 2023 event powered by Marvel, the biggest disability event of its kind in Europe.
Yasmina Bez was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) aged 8. FA is a rare, inherited disease which causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems and worsens over time.
Yasmina has problems with her speech and uses a wheelchair most of the time.
She hopes to raise enough funds for a racing wheelchair to allow her to take place in a marathon when she reaches 18.
As well as representing Lewisham as a young MP with a special interest in accessibility and inclusivity, Yasmina is also a keen horse rider who has won several regional national competitions and hopes to compete in more next year. She started horse-riding at the age of 11, initially as part of her therapy to improve her movement and strength, and found that as well as loving the sport, she had a real talent for it. Her younger sister Anissa, 13, is also an accomplished rider who volunteers at Mottingham Farm stables at the weekend, partly in order to help her sister with the tasks she can’t manage.
Superheroes Tri 2023 will take place at Dorney Lake near Windsor in Berkshire, one of the London 2012 Olympic sites. The event will see hundreds of children across the country with disabilities and their chosen ‘sidekicks’ gather to complete a triathlon course of varying lengths. Participants can opt to run, walk, skip or wheel their way to the finish line.
Yasmina, who hopes to cover 5km on her adapted RaceRunner cycle dressed as Wonder Woman and possibly also a 10km cycle if the equipment is available on the day said: ‘I have been working so hard to try and reach my dream of one day which is the dream of competing as a horse rider in the Paralympics, but one step at a time. My scoliosis is getting worse, I do not want to stop riding or take a break, till I reach my dream, but I’m scared that my condition won’t allow me to do so.’
‘I’m entering the Superhero Tri this year again to raise money for horse riding fees and a racing wheelchair, to challenge myself and fight even more.’
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Yasmina with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.
Tree of Hope is an established charity partner of the Superhero Tri for the fifth year running. Head of Marketing & Family Support Georgie Lowry said: ‘We’re very proud to represent all of our superhero participants and will be cheering them on from the sidelines. It has been a brilliant way for our families to fundraise and we hope they enjoy the day!’
To donate to Yasmina’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/yasmina-bez/
For more information about the Superhero Series visit https://superheroseries.co.uk/
