Last September Cooper Bentley (aged 7) walked 46 miles for Mencap, taking part in One Big Walk and smashing his fundraising target, raising £260!
Cooper who has
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
and is non-verbal, along with his mum Kate, wanted to take on the walk to shine a light on the massive contribution to society those with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
can make. As Cooper is such an active boy Kate said it was great to see how
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
One Big Walk was and that they could choose where, when and what distance they wanted to do
Katy said, ‘Cooper spread joy to those he met on his walks and his walks started many conversations with members of the public and even though he is no verbal, he stopped people in their tracks with his enthusiasm and happy nature, it allowed me to talk about the great work Mencap does for those in the learning disability community A community is the people and places in an area. .’
Thank you, Cooper, for being Mencap’s One Big Walk hero of 2024. You really did go the extra mile! Pun fully intended. ;-)
Has Cooper inspired you to take One Big Walk for 2025?
Find out more about how you can choose your challenge and do your walk or push your way!
There are 1.5 million people living with a learning disability in the UK and we are asking people to use the 1.5 number to inspire them. So get active now, and get involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. wherever, whenever and however you can!