Museum to welcome BBC Young Sports Personality on International Day of People with Disabilities

A young rising star in the world of wheelchair athletics will speak at a Leeds museum this Sunday to celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities.

Seventeen-year-old Kare Adenegan, who set a new world record at the Para World European Athletics Championships in Berlin in August, will be at Leeds City Museum for the inspirational event on December 2.

Kare, who specialises in sprint distances in the T34, was voted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2018 after she beat Hannah Cockcroft to win her first gold medal at the championships.

She has also competed at the Paralympics in London and Rio and will speak about her career and accomplishments at the museum event.

She said: “I am really excited to be attending Leeds City Museum on December 2 and I look forward to being inspired by stories of other women doing amazing things in the arts and beyond.”

This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities coincides with the centenary of the first women in the UK winning the right to vote, so the museum will also be welcoming other inspiring guest speakers who have worked to make a difference.

Leeds based artist and educator Hayley Mills-Styles, who has worked in both the arts and mental health sectors with organisations like Arts and Minds Network and Hoot Creative Arts will speak along with Susan Hanley, chair of directors for Leep 1 Company.

Leep 1 stands for ‘Leeds People First’ and helps people with learning disabilities speak up for themselves.

The day will also include a special screening of a film about Sue Horan, from Bradford, who lost sight in her left eye when she was 40 before losing sight in her right eye nine years later.

Despite these setbacks, Sue completed a three year BA (Hons) in Visual Art course at Bradford School of Arts. Her experiences and work have been documented by Carole Griffiths, Programme Leader of BA and MA in Visual Arts at Bradford College.

Music will also be provided by the Serenade String Quartet.

Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adults, said: “It’s great that Leeds will be welcoming such a prestigious and exciting line-up of guests as we celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities.

“Each of these women has a very different story to tell, but they are united by their determination to achieve their goals and the inspiration that their individual journeys can give to people with disabilities.”

The event is free to attend and takes place at Leeds City Museum in the Thoresby Room from 2pm until 4pm.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 378 9182 (please note my new number)

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk