TGA, the UK’s leading mobility specialist, will be supporting James Pagram who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as he attempts to drive a TGA Breeze mobility scooter 101 miles along the South Downs Way, between 9-12th August to raise funds for the MS Society.

James, 48 from Eastbourne, will be driving the same model that successfully won the BBC Top Gear extreme mobility scooter challenge last year. During this transmission, a disabled war veteran successfully reached the top of a rugged Welsh mountainside on a TGA Breeze whilst beating the Top Gear presenters who rode highly adapted mobility scooters. James will once again test the proven off-road capabilities of the TGA Breeze mobility scooter as he drives 101 miles cross-country from Winchester to Eastbourne so funds are raised for the MS Society. He will begin his journey at 9am on 9th August at the BMI Hospital, Sarum Road, Winchester. He will then travel through Hampshire, East and West Sussex with an arrival planned at ‘The Pilot’ Public House, Meads (near Beachy Head) in Eastbourne between 3-6pm on 12th August.

Stephen Lloyd MP and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for MS, will be joining James on Sunday 11th for five miles of the journey between Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon. James is actively encouraging all people affected by, or who has links with MS, to join him on his journey at any point during the four days. It is hoped Steve Tarrant, the disabled motorsport marshal and Mobility Roadshow Ambassador who plans to set a new world record on a TGA scooter in 2014, will be able to support James for a section of this South Downs challenge.

James completed a successful 20-year career working in the City of London as an Accountant and was diagnosed with MS in 1998. He continued with his 6am commute until 2003 when the affects of his MS resulted in early retirement. He is now the Treasurer of the Eastbourne and South Wealden MS Society branch and has been planning this fundraiser for several months. James explains: “I own a robust, older version of the TGA Breeze however after contacting and meeting TGA at their Suffolk headquarters, the loan of the latest Breeze S4 became possible. The fact that this model was so successful climbing a muddy and rocky Brecon Beacons summit on BBC Top Gear, fills me with complete peace of mind for my forthcoming challenge. I will be riding alongside my friends James and Roger who will be supporting me on mountain bikes and TGA have provided all the technical training for the guys to efficiently change batteries. With heavy-duty batteries onboard we should be able to achieve 30 miles on each set dependent on weather and surface conditions.

James continues: “The South Downs 101’ers have two simple aims – to raise funds for the MS Society and heighten awareness of the condition. I invite everyone with links to MS to come and join me for all or part of the journey. The more people we get involved on scooters or bicycles, the more we can help people living with, or affected by MS. I am so looking forward to this road trip, it maybe difficult at times but I’m sure it will be enormous fun for myself and all involved.”

James has the full backing of the national MS Society and will have mechanical support from TGA for the first two days that will include batteries, chargers and on-call engineers. TGA are providing James with the latest Breeze S4 mobility scooter with wider rear wheels and additional torque so he has the power and performance to complete this off-road journey. Daniel Stone, TGA Managing Director concludes: “We believe the MS Society delivers invaluable support across the UK and the whole TGA team is proud to be associated with raising funds for this charity. We have met with

James and believe his has the commitment and drive to successfully complete this 101-mile challenge. Bearing in mind his MS, James’ continued work for the MS Society is admirable and we wish him the very best of luck in raising donations for the charity. The TGA technical team will shortly begin preparing the Breeze S4 that will be loaned for this challenge and believe its proven track record for unsurpassed performance, will ensure James is capable of successfully tackling his off-road route with 100% reliability.”

We would encourage everyone to support James’ and his challenge by donating to the MS Society at his dedicated website: http://southdowns101ers.com

www.tgamobility.co.uk

The South Downs 101’ers itinerary:

Day 1: 9th August: BMI Hospital, Sarum Road, Winchester (9am) – South Harting (6pm approx.)

Day 2: 10th August: South Harting (9am) – Steyning (6pm approx.)

Day 3: 11th August: Steyning (9am) – Rodmell (6pm approx.)

Join James on his trail between Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon, leaving Devil’s Dyke at 2pm.

Supper at the Abergavenny Arms from 6pm

Day 4: 12th August: Rodmell (9am) – Meads (4pm approx.) 

Join James for the final descent into Meads, leaving Beachy Head Inn at 3pm arriving at The Pilot, Meads around 4pm