Graham (G-Force) Hicks is at it again! Graham is launching his exciting programme of events for 2003 by getting fully involved in all the action on the Isle of Man during TT week.
Graham is teaming up with Streetfighters (the guys who are up for anything!) and the Purple Helmets at various events throughout the week and will be riding his custom built ‘G-Force Challenger’ quad. This is the machine which Graham rode into the Guinness Book of World Records to set the quadbike world speed record in June 2002. The quad is based on a Honda TRX400EX quad with a 1100cc Super Blackbird 152bhp engine and built by Terry Chard, former technician for ‘Olly Duke’ and Race Engineering.
Graham will launch his TT activities in style by navigating his way around the Isle of Man on his jetski followed by a fleet of Manx jetski enthusiasts and accompanied by his pillion rider, Rob Hall to give him navigational directions. It’s believed to be the first time this challenge has ever been attempted and especially by someone who is both deaf and blind!
So why does Graham do these amazing challenges? He is keen to show that disability, even one as severe as deafblindness, is no barrier to achievement given the right support. He is also raising funds for the national charity, Deafblind UK, which provides vital services to help deafblind people throughout the country, some of whom are very isolated.
Deafblind UK would like to thank the following companies who have given support for activities at the TT:
Aquapac International Ltd, Garmin (Europe) Ltd, G.B Watersports, Gecko Headgear Ltd, IOM Coastguard, IOM Port Authority, IOM Tourist Board, Pirelli Tyres, Putoline Oil Ltd, Rank Foundation, RNLI at IOM, Sheet Metal Services, Total Promotions, Venom Performance Products and Yamaha Motors UK.
And finally, a word from Graham: “I’m raring to get to the TT and take part in the events on offer. It will be a fantastic opportunity to meet everyone and spend the week with some of the best people involved in motorsports. I’m really looking forward to jetskiing around the island and hope it will show everyone what it’s possible to achieve, despite being deafblind. Watch this space!”
Deafblind UK, which supports all Graham’s amazing activities, is a national charity dedicated to making life better for deafblind people throughout the UK. Although a rare disability, around 40 in every 100,000 people are deafblind, with up to 250,000 people having a combined sight and hearing difficulty. Many people lose their sight and hearing later in life but there are also many younger people who have become deafblind through illness, road accidents, hereditary conditions and other causes. Simple communication we take for granted is always difficult for deafblind people and accessing information and travelling independently provide further huge challenges. A great many deafblind people face unnecessary and unfair difficulties and end up lonely and isolated not reaching their full potential. People like Graham Hicks prove what can be achieved when barriers are removed or cast aside.
Deafblind UK’s work is crucial in helping deafblind people to break out of their isolation and live independently, enjoying many of the activities which we take for granted. www.deafblind.org.uk