Relay Your Way Underway

A youngster with a love of horse riding and swimming became the first child to pass the baton from the start line in Glasgow to kickstart Britain’s most inclusive relay. 

Eight-year-old Wolfe Gorton (pictured above) boarded a unique fibreglass boat at Pinkston Watersports Centre, accompanied by safety swimmers, to pass the baton to paddleboarders before it was returned to shore to begin its journey.

Created by Cerebra, the national UK charity dedicated to supporting children who have a neurological condition, Relay Your Way will cover 2,500km over 33 days to promote inclusivity in sports and ensure that no child is left on the sidelines.

From Glasgow to Windsor, the baton will journey through towns and cities, bringing together thousands of people in a celebration of accessibility, adventure and inclusion. 

With 301 relay stages ranging from a gentle 200-metre walk to an 80-kilometre cycling challenge, there are opportunities for everyone to take part across the country, regardless of ability. 

Wolfe, one of 9,000 young people taking part in the relay, has cerebral palsy and Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome that causes decreased muscle tone and some delayed milestones.

Sport has been a part of Wolfe’s life since he was young, his love of swimming stemming from early experiences in the pool as part of a water babies group. He also takes part in horse riding since starting off with hippotherapy when he was 14 months old. 

The Relay Your Way baton – designed by the Cerebra Innovation Centre to be easily carried by wheelchair users, adapted surfers, and frame runners – will be passed between participants until the finish line at Parallel Festival of Inclusivity in Windsor on July 6.  

“My relationship with sport began at an early age thanks to my parents’ determination that I would have the same opportunities in life as my older brother and sister,” said Dr Julie McElroy, a trailblazer for disability rights and an accomplished sportswoman.

“Sport has helped me grow physically, mentally, and emotionally — a reminder of its power to heal, connect, and transform lives. 

“That's why Relay Your Way is so powerful. It isn’t just a relay, it’s an action statement. It celebrates the 1.5 million young people in the UK with disabilities and reminds the world that every child deserves the chance to play, move, and thrive. 

“Events like this don’t just raise awareness; they create real opportunity. I’m living proof of what can happen when we believe in potential over limitation and I hope this relay empowers more young people to find their way into sport, just like I did.” 

To find out more visit the Relay Your Way website www.relayyourway.org  or see the feature in the current edition of Living with Disability.