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County to welcome first ever Pride disability event

Contributed Glynis Bell is pictured in her wheelchair during a Pride event. She smiles at the camera while clapping her hands. She wears sunglasses with a white vest top and loose white trousers. She has short grey hair.Contributed
Glynis Bell and her husband Ian have helped organise Suffolk's first ever disability Pride event after attending a similar one in Cheshire

A county's first ever disability Pride event will be a "celebration of resilience and community", according to its organisers.

Felixstowe, in Suffolk, has been chosen at the host town for the event on 11 July.

Organised by Suffolk Mobility Events, it will be open to everyone and aimed to promote education, inclusivity, awareness and support for those with disabilities.

The event was organised after co-director Ian Bell was inspired by a similar event he attended with his wife Glynis.

Contributed Ian Bell crouches next to his wife as they smile at the camera. They're black dog sits in the middle of them holding a teddy in its mouth. Mr Bell has short dark grey hair and wears a blue, white and red striped jumper. Mrs Bell wears and navy and white striped dress.Contributed
Mr and Mrs Bell want to ensure everyone feels welcome during the event in July

Mr and Mrs Bell married in 2012 and eight weeks later, Mrs Bell suffered a life-altering stroke that left her unable to walk.

"From that day our lives changed and I started to understand the difficulties faced by people who have experienced sudden trauma," Mr Bell explained.

The couple learnt about adjustments that had to be made for wheelchair users and Mr Bell went on to launch Suffolk Mobility Solutions to help others in their homes.

Last year, they attended the Chester Disability Pride event in Cheshire and they were left inspired.

When looking to bring a similar event to Suffolk, they chose Felixstowe Promenade for a personal reason.

During their visit last year to see the venue, Mrs Bell walked for the first time since her stroke.

'Celebrate being themselves'

Contributed Clare Lucas walks along a promenade smiling. She holds a paper pad in one arm. She wears glasses, a pink fluffy coat with a green and white floral top underneath and she has long blonde hair.Contributed
Clare Lucas from UK Ducks In A Row is helping to organise the event in Felixstowe

The event, in collaboration with UK Ducks In A Row, will see a procession make its way along the promenade.

A trade exhibition will be held afterward where attendees can find services to help with any issues they face.

"Bringing this incredible event to our local community in Suffolk highlights the valuable contribution of disabled people across Suffolk, in the towns and all the surrounding villages I visited," Mr Bell added.

Proceeds will go toward charities ActivLives and Suffolk Mind.

"It's a chance for people with disabilities to come together and celebrate being themselves, no matter their differences," Clare Lucas, the other co-director, added.

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