I became unable to walk over 20 years ago. Prior to that I dived for over 30 years and climbed for around 10 as well as doing things like canoeing and occasionally caving. So I was very active outdoors.

I was not willing to give up my previous lifestyle so got myself a large mobility scooter and had my first trip to the Scottish Highlands. It was most enjoyable but the scooter wasn't for me so I built my own, in fact on the 6th.

I formed Cornwall Rolling Ramblers, helped form the wheelchair access group (Dartmoor) and became the rep. For the National disabled Ramblers. My interest soon changed to improving accessibility and I have worked with most major landowners in Cornwall and Devon.

We were invited over to Scilly to comment on accessibility in their nature reserves. We were pleasantly surprised when we got there, we managed to do about 6 routes, all on Saint Mary's, without too much difficulty and the Trust are hoping to improve this even more. The plan is to gradually improve access as and when funds allow, to make many of the routes accessible.

We find it a really worthwhile pursuit. It gets us out and about and we get all of the social benefits and I have made some great friends. Why not give it a try?

As my mobility gradually declined I realised my enjoyment of nature was going to be missed. Entering the world of disability you have to endure your world get smaller and smaller as your physical reach declines.

I’ve always really enjoyed being around nature engulfing myself in its very chaotic and refreshingly raw state. It keeps my depression at bay but also enables me to care about our natural world taking part in wildlife surveys to help record the very health of nature that ensures our planet’s healthy existence and ensure it continues.

Then I discovered accessible paths that I could traverse in my wheelchair or off-road scooter. It was like being reborn being able to be surrounded by all that makes me feel calm , invigorated and light in my heart.

When asked to look at accessible possibilities of Isles of Scilly St Mary’s I was thrilled and blown away by the amount of pathways that with a few tweaks could become accessible. I truly hope that the funding can be found to enable this project to take off such such other people like myself can find themselves again and keep healthy and body and mind.

I would recommend everybody who has a disability of any kind to try and surround yourself in the beauty and healing powers of nature. The more paths that can be made accessible the better of the reach for locals and visitors alike. Saint Mary’s is particularly beautiful as it is also surrounded by the coast and therefore has a double impact of land based wildlife and marine wildlife so is a unique and extraordinary area to have an accessible wildlife venture.

I really look forward to returning in the near future and experiencing more of the pathways through nature.