Zak’s Wonderwheel 10km Challenge for Icknield Special School.

A team of Superheroes have helped a pupil at Icknield raise nearly £2000 for his school.

Dressed as superheroes Thor and Loki, Zak Walton and his Dad Ben of Ben’s Quality Dry Cleaners took on the Marvel Powered Winter Wonderwheels 10km. They were accompanied on the run for the first 5km by Zak sister Lara (10) dressed as Black Widow, John Kilby dressed as Deadpool and his son Josh (10) dressed as Spider-man.

Zak has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user but this doesn’t stop him from wanting to explore challenges and expand his horizons.

Zak’s Dad Ben explained how this run came about.

My daughter Lara has been participating in Andover Junior Parkrun for a while and Zak expressed an interest in joining in, so he came along one week in the summer in his power chair and loved it! Unfortunately he had some major surgery due which curtailed his efforts but post surgery he wanted to get back on it! He was unable to use his power chair so asked me to push him round, I didn’t hesitate and off we went! The slow push quickly turned in to a run and Zak loved it even more! Now come rain or shine he wants to do it every week (no matter how muddy and hard work it is!)

We saw the Winter Wonder Wheels run and thought it was a great opportunity to extend our distance and raise some money for Zak’s amazing special school, Icknield. So we took on the 10km challenge, Zak had the challenge of taking photo’s and keeping me going while I pushed him and his chair round the course, 2 laps round Dorney Lake, home of team GB rowing.

We had our own cheering section watching us, my Wife Abby, Johns wife Helen Kilby and Zaks Grandparents Jan and Mike braved the cold and roared us round through the wind and rain at the weekend. And a special thanks to Zaks Grandad Steve for getting his chair race ready!

Zak got very excited when I suggested raising money for his School and the Friends of Icknield. He said ‘I’d be helping them like they help me…’ and I couldn’t have put it better myself, we have raised £1935 so far.

Massive thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported us for this amazing local special school.

Zak’s school Icknield, is a Special School in Andover for children and young people aged 3-19 with disabilities and severe learning difficulties. Icknield School provides a happy, safe and exciting learning environment.