Seashell Trust hosts Battle of the Champions at Manchester Velodrome

Neil and Lora Fachie show some of their many medals to Seashell Trust student Cayman Norton

North west business leaders will swap their business suits for lycra suits at the Seashell Trust’s Battle of the Champions at the HSBC National Cycling Centre.

Ahead of the head-to-head on the track at SportCity in east Manchester, Paralympic gold medallist cyclists Neil and Lora Fachie visited the Cheadle Hulme charity to meet some of the severely disabled children who go to school there.

Lora Fachie said: “It was fantastic to visit the Seashell Trust and meet the amazing people and see first hand the incredible work they do to transform the lives of some of the UK’s most profoundly disabled children and young people.”

On Thurday, March 23, a total of 32 cyclists will be competing at the velodrome to win the inaugural Seashell Trust Cup.

The teams from some of the UK’S leading companies including Morson International, PZ Cussons, B&M Stores, Boodles, Brown Shipley and Barclays will battle it out to see which will cover the greatest distance against the clock.

The cyclists and other guests will then enjoy a dinner with Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian ever Dame Sarah Storey, Paralympic gold medallists Helen Scott and Neil Fachie, and double world champions James Ball and Jon Gildea.

The trust, which runs a national centre of excellence caring for children and young people with combinations of physical and learning disabilities, deafness, blindness, autism, and communication needs, will be launching its Transforming Lives Appeal to build a state-of-the-art school at the event.

Rachel McCrystal, senior manager for Transforming Lives Appeal, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Lora and Neil and the other Great Britain cyclists – they are fantastic role models for our students.”

  • To support the appeal, please contact Rachel McCrystal on 0161 610 0142 or Rachel.McCrystal@seashelltrust.org.uk.