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An international triathlete is campaigning to have disabled athlete classifications at all standards not just elite level.

Seashell Trust teacher Maureen Wilkins represents Great Britain in age group triathlon and duathlon, and is an endurance and athletics coach at Stockport Harriers.

Sport and being active is a vital part of life for our students' health and enjoyment.

Dominic Tinner, head of fundraising at Seashell Trust, said: “A number of our children and young people are also on medication which can have an adverse effect on their weight so regular exercise is crucial.”

Maureen said: “We want to prove anything is possible. Anyone who thinks they can't take part, we can show them with our support it can.”

Seashell Trust recently held its inaugural disability triathlon and all-ability 5km race.

Present and former students of the charity, which runs a residential specialist support school and college, along with others from the Stockport area took the triathlon on campus

Tri-Seashell competitors swam, cycled and ran distances according to their ability. But while the competitors competed alongside each other there was such a a diverse range of profound and complex disabilities any comparison in results was impossible.

Maureen added: “There are no classifications such as there are at the elite end of disability sport and we at Seashell Trust are hoping to pioneer a system for those with severe and complex disabilities so they can compete on a level playing field with others with similar disabilities

“We are hoping to work with Triathlon England and England Athletics towards a classication for all.”

A 5km multi-terrain race open to all abilities was run alongside the disability triathlon.

Maureen said: “The 5k course was tough but we all like a bit of challenge. The whole event is just going to grow and grow. We are planning to take the concept of a fully-inclusive event with participants running side by side whatever their ability to other special colleges around the country and in the future maybe have competitions between us.”

For those athletes with additional complex and or physical difficulties we are hopeful they will participate in the swim discipline through the use of our hydrotherapy pool.

Some 30 volunteers made the event possible, with groups from Tameside Council and parents of Seashell Trust staff.

If you or your company would like to get involved and volunteer at Seashell Trust events, please contact Denese Paver on 0161 610 0100 or email denese.paver@seashelltrust.org.uk