Lewisham family fundraising to help teen daughter realise Paralympic dreams

Thirteen-year-old Yasmina Bez was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) aged 8. FA is a rare, inherited disease which causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems and worsens over time.

Yasmina has problems with her speech and uses a wheelchair most of the time. She started horse-riding at the age of 11, initially as part of her therapy to improve her movement and strength, and found that as well as loving the sport, she had a real talent for it. She currently rides with the Riding for the Disabled New Lodge centre in Bromley. She has already won a regional competition at RDA Penniwells, and was due to take part in the national competition in July, which was postponed because of the heatwave. She will need her own horse and private lessons in order to progress.

Yasmina will be taking part in the Superhero Tri 2022 event powered by Marvel, the biggest disability event of its kind in Europe and is taking place on August 20 at Dorney Lake near Windsor in Berkshire, one of the London 2012 Olympic sites. The event sees hundreds of children across the country with disabilities and their chosen ‘sidekicks’ gather to complete a triathlon course of varying lengths. Participants can run, walk, skip or wheel their way to the finish line.

Mum Touria Hauokachi, 36, said: ‘We’re all really looking forward to the event and hope it will help us raise money for a horse for Yasmina. Like any teenaged girl, she wants to be as independent as possible and with movement difficulties, riding really helps her to achieve that.’

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Yasmina with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.

Tree of Hope is an established charity partner of the Superhero Tri for the fourth year running and will be at the event which will be covered by Clare Balding on Channel 4. Head of Marketing & Family Support Georgie Lowry explained “We’re delighted that the event is back in full force since the pandemic began and will be the first time we have attended the event as a charity partner. We’re very proud to represent all of our superhero participants and will be cheering them on from the sidelines. It has been a brilliant way for our families to fundraise and we hope they enjoy the day! ”

To donate to Yasmina’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/yasmina-bez/

For more information about the Superhero Series visit https://superheroseries.co.uk/

For more information, images or to arrange interviews please contact Catherine Cooper on 00 33 5 61 69 57 89, 00 33 6 09 03 55 88 or [email protected]