Meet our champions
SIA champions represent our vision of a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.
Experts in their own field, they share their knowledge, experience and achievements to educate and inspire others in diverse areas such as outdoor adventure, business and the arts. Each of our champions brings the SCI community together to support and encourage others with shared interests to prove that with the right support anything is possible.
Karen Darke – SIA champion for adventure
“The help, support and information I received from SIA was invaluable in making me realise that there is another life out there to be seized.”
Karen started out as a geologist researching gold in the Bolivian Andes, but a life-changing accident that left her with a spinal cord injury led her away from that career path to one in sport, winning Paralympic gold in the sport of Paralympic hand-cycling in Rio 2016. From skiing across icecaps to kayak journeys at extreme latitudes and hand-cycle treks in the world’s biggest mountain ranges, Karen is a passionate advocate for the value of nature and the power of an ‘adventure mindset’ for everyday life.
Will Behenna – SIA champion for outdoor accessibility
“I am excited to be working with SIA and being a champion for outdoor accessibility. Together we can drive the changes that are needed to make green and blue space more accessible for people with medical conditions and disabilities, and their friends and family.”
Will is the founder of the inclusive paddleboarding project and the beach access project. With a passion for adventure, he is determined to make the outdoors more accessible for other disabled people.
Milly Fyfe – SIA champion for small business
“SIA have been a huge support to me whilst I navigate living life with a spinal cord injury. I want to use this opportunity to raise awareness of the condition, and despite adversity, what can be possible.”
Milly is an award-winning digital marketing, PR, events, and fundraising specialist, a farmer, parent, and social entrepreneur from West Northamptonshire. As the founder of a small business that helps to provide simple recipe ideas using in-season British food, her latest venture offers educational workshops for schools, community groups and corporates.