SPORTS mad Stephen Rainey doesn’t need a wheelchair to get out and about – he’s as fit as any Premier League footballer!
But he’s also an expert in making, repairing – and handling wheelchairs.
And what’s more, he’s just set a new Guinness World Record for making the most wheelchair spins – on the rear wheels – in a minute.
Stephen, 24, achieved 66 spins, three more than the previous record held by Gulshan Kumar from India.
“This was a really special achievement for me,” said Stephen, who is a wheelchair engineer at Liverpool’s Wheelchair Service, based at Lifehouse at Brunswick Business Park.
“I hope that my success now helps influence wheelchair users to take part in sports and activities.”
Stephen’s dad, John, was Knowsley council’s highly respected disabled access officer who died ten years ago.
“Dad and I spent years playing wheelchair basketball. He taught me everything I know about wheelchairs. His coaching skills helped me get my place in the Vikings wheelchair basketball team. That’s great fun and I think he would be proud.
“But gaining this Guinness World Record would have put an even bigger smile on his face!”
Stephen’s record-breaker was made at Lifehouse and coincided with the launch of the National Wheelchair Charter, which aims to improve the quality of wheelchair services across the country.
