Nigel Murray MBE, 51, from Leamington Spa and Paralympian Boccia player, has been appointed as Event Ambassador for The Mobility Roadshow at Silverstone Circuit, Northants, 26-28^th May. 

Nigel, who has entered four Olympic Games to date, was the first British Boccia player to win a gold medal in 2000. Since then, he has won gold with Team GB in 2008 and individual silver and bronze at the London 2012 Paralympics. Nigel received an MBE from the Queen in 2013. He is currently training and coaching with Team GB as they prepare for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Since 1983, the Mobility Roadshow has been the UK’s leading disabled consumer event that showcases the latest assistive products and services for independent driving and mobility. This remarkable event is organised by the charity Mobility Choice so that the widest choice of accessible vehicles, adapted driving controls and mobility products can be trialled and tested. Being held at the iconic home of the British Grand Prix for the first time this year, the Mobility Roadshow will provide the unique opportunity for disabled drivers and passengers to test drive the latest wheelchair-friendly and adapted vehicles around the Silverstone circuit. The popular Get Going Live! show feature will also specifically focus on the needs of young and novice drivers with disabilities. In addition to these product highlights, there will be the opportunity for visitors to try various inclusive sports including Boccia, Disability Tennis, Powerchair Football and Wheelchair Basketball. Hence Paralympian Nigel Murray was the ideal Ambassador to champion The Mobility Roadshow once more.

Nigel will be attending the Roadshow, an event he has been visiting ever since 1991. During his first visit he was introduced to previously unseen vehicle adaptations and conversions that opened his mind up to the possibilities of independent driving. Nigel has been playing Boccia for over 20 years and regularly travels all over the country to train, coach and compete.  As well as using a powered wheelchair, Nigel is able to drive independently thanks to his Volkswagen Caddy adapted by Sirus Automotive. Nigel’s specialist vehicle has ‘push-pull’ hand controls and a push button gear selector. He also has an automated wheelchair locking device that secures him into the driver’s position. 

Nigel comments: “Unfortunately for disabled drivers, we cannot go into a dealership and take a test drive of a car we like as they do not have any driving adaptations.  The closest you can get is sitting in the passenger seat while someone else drives, which is not ideal at all. Test drives at the Mobility Roadshow change all that.”

Nigel continues: “I think it is fantastic that The Mobility Roadshow is coming to Silverstone for the first time. Visitors will be able to test drive adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles in a safe environment, which will give them a true representation of the vehicles. Without the Roadshow this opportunity would not exist. I also look forward to meeting lots of visitors keen to try Boccia in the Silverstone Wing – I will be there to offer advice and guidance for anyone keen to get involved with the sport.”

www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk