National charity Remap that helps people with disabilities - from athletes, to ex-service people, to children and parents has celebrated its 50th anniversary this month.

Over the past 50 years volunteers of Remap have built equipment that has helped over 100,000 individuals lead independent lives.

The charity now works in 80 branches across the UK, counts professional engineers, craftspeople and technician among its 6,000 volunteers who have devoted time and expertise to turning around the lives of those affected by disability.

The volunteers carry out a full consultation with each client to understand their specific needs; using this information they design and build bespoke equipment that enables individuals to overcome challenges in undertaking everyday tasks and activities.

Abbie, an enthusiastic disabled athlete who attends Valence School, Westerham, required a purpose built throwing chair to enable her to progress to the top level in her chosen sport; the club throw.

Abbie has very limited control of her hands and legs and was already competing in the club throw but threw from her motorised wheelchair which prevented her developing an effective throwing technique.

"I look forward to the next generation of volunteers signing up to volunteer with us to continue changing people’s lives" - Adam Rowe, CEO of Remap

It became clear to Mick Baxter from the Remap Kent West panel that a chair needed to be designed that could have as many adjustments as possible so that it could accommodate Abbie’s changing technique.

Abbie is now 5th in the world in her discipline and representing Great Britain at the IPC Athletics European Championships in August 2014. She is setting her sights on Rio 2016.

Adam Rowe, chief executive officer of Remap said: “Remap has been transforming lives for 50 years based upon the selfless support from our volunteers over the years. Every piece of equipment enables people to try and undertake everyday tasks or help them achieve their ambitions.

"I look forward to the next generation of volunteers signing up to volunteer with us to continue changing people’s lives."

For more info visit: http://www.remap.org.uk/volunteering-for-remap/what-get-out-of-remap.html