Local Hero Ainsley Takes On Superhero Tri Powered By Marvel on 17 August

On Saturday 17 August, Wolverhampton Wheelchair user and national disability campaigner Ainsley Sinckler-Campbell is taking on the 2019 Superhero Tri Powered by Marvel at Dorney Lake, in Windsor.

Ainsley will be supported by his three superhero sidekicks, partner Lauren, brother Omari and his lawyer Cathy Leech from Irwin Mitchell which is also one of the event partners.

Ainsley was a 21 year old student when he suffered a serious spinal injury following a road traffic collision in 2016, which left him paralysed from the waist down. Determination to come to terms with his injuries and his continuing success in a range of disability sports has made Ainsley an inspiration to others. Taking on the Inter Spinal Unit Games, he discovered a talent for archery and moved on to adaptive rowing. The Superhero Tri is his next challenge.

Ainsley and partner Lauren are taking on the running stage; brother Omari is doing the swim while Irwin Mitchell’s Cathy Leech will be completing the bike segment of the course. Ainsley is taking part alongside other teams from Irwin Mitchell, who work in partnership with the UK’s only mass-participation sports series dedicated to people with disabilities, while the law firm’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign raises awareness of disability sport.

The Superhero Tri event, which this year boasts Marvel as headline partner, draws heroes with a mental or physical disability from across the country to take part, with 1,500 people, aged 3-81 already signed up, while Marvel superheroes will help them find their power.

Some 13.3 million people in the UK live with a disability, yet only one in eight takes part in regular sport, despite the physical and psychological benefits that come from it. The Tri is one way people of all ages and abilities can get involved and together with Irwin Mitchell, Ainsley is keen to encourage people to take part, not just in the Tri, but sport more generally.

Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Ainsley said: “It was so hard coming to terms with my injuries but sport assisted with my recovery and opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities. It has helped me keep fit and meet new people, while I’ve also discovered new and unexpected interests.

I want to encourage others living with a disability to discover the benefits for themselves. The Superhero Tri is a great way for people to dip their toe (literally) in the water and do as much or as little as they like. It’s a great way to meet new people and taking part gives a great feeling of both belonging and achievement. Don’t Quit, Do It is the perfect motto for me since discovering disability sport and if I can do it, other people out there can too.”

Expert Opinion

“Since first meeting Ainsley back in 2016, it was obvious he was a remarkable man and I’m very proud to be joining him and his family on the Superhero Tri. Ainsley has refused to let his injuries hold him back and his work on our Don’t Quit, Do It and I Am Able campaigns is proving vital in encouraging others to discover the benefits of sport for themselves.” Catherine Leech - Partner

Irwin Mitchell is sending its biggest number of competitors ever to the Superhero Tri in 2019, with 22 heroes across six teams, with one mission – to show the world that disability is no barrier to sporting achievement and taking part. Sport has allowed Ainsley to regain both his independence and his confidence and his story is a prime example of the huge difference disability sport can make to so many lives.

The event attracted 1,700 participants and 7,000 spectators in 2017 – numbers that nearly doubled in 2018. With the support of sponsors like Marvel and Irwin Mitchell and Channel 4 broadcasting a 60 minute programme on the event presented by Clare Balding, this year is expected to be the biggest yet.