Eighth annual accessible Summer BBQ and Activities Day for spinal injury survivors

We were proud to welcome wheelchair users from across Scotland to Castle Semple last week for the 2024 Spinal Injuries Scotland (SIS) summer barbecue and activities day.

More than 150 people attended the annual event at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Renfrewshire which offers survivors of spinal cord injuries the opportunity to take part in adventure sports like hand-biking, kayaking, sailing and power-boating.

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The action-packed and fun-filled day also hosts a barbecue, games and music so SIS members and patients of the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit can come together and share experiences.

Maureen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Spinal Injuries Scotland, said: "For us, seeing patients and our members taking part in the activities today is fantastic.

"Alot of people here have gone through some really tough times and it's so good to see them out enjoying the sunshine - there's a real sense of community which is what it's all about."

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Stephen Harvey, SIS member, was delighted to come along to the activities day again after attending last year for the first time.

He said: “Last year I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Meeting like-bodied people, the communities you can reach out to... there's so much available for people in wheelchairs and people with disabilities. It's fantastic.”

Dr Euan McCaughey, Director of Research at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, added: “A few patients have said it's the first time they've left the Unit in a number of months.

“Making that transition from being in the Unit to being at home is such a crucial step in the rehabilitation of people with spinal injury and the opportunity to do this here today is vital for a lot of these guys.

“All in all a great day out and thanks to Digby Brown for supporting it.”

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Chris Stewart, Partner and Head of Digby Brown’s Serious Injury team, was proud to sponsor the day for the eighth year in a row as he and his team understand the life-changing impacts spinal cord injuries can have.

He said: “It's great to see the numbers increasing every year!

“Some people come along to catch up and have a burger, but people also get to try things that they maybe otherwise wouldn't do.

“The weather hasn't always been fantastic but people always come along irrespective of rain, hail or shine.”

You can take a closer look at the 2024 SIS summer barbecue and activities day here.