GEE-whizz! The borough has been selected for a new wheelchair training pilot scheme.

Whizz-Kidz, the national charity that provides disabled children and young people with mobility equipment, has chosen the borough to host the first pilot of its national Active Mobility Scheme.

And Radcliffe will be the base for a series of training sessions to be held later this year.

Funded by the Department of Health, the Keep on Moving! initiative will enable young powered and manual wheelchair users up to the age of 18 to learn how to use their wheelchairs safely and with confidence.

Whizz-Kidz is developing the pilot scheme in conjunction with local partners in Bury, including the NHS Wheelchair Service, road safety officers, other charities and the local education authority.

The partners will help produce a programme that is of benefit to all agencies and appropriate for children and young people in the area.

And the Keep on Moving! scheme will be run on five consecutive Saturdays, from June 22 until July 20 between 9.30am and 4.30pm at the Coney Green Sports Centre, Radcliffe.

Youngsters under 18 who use a wheelchair can join Whizz-Kidz. Apart from receiving training, they can also have fun, make friends and increase their independence.

Each group will have its own session that will focus on relevant skills, safety issues and games. There is no cost to join.

Meanwhile, Whizz-Kidz is looking for enthusiastic and active volunteers to help run the Keep on Moving! scheme.

They should be available during the times of the sessions. Travel expenses will be refunded and they will be required to attend a volunteer training day in May.

Sarah Jefkins, Whizz Kidz' wheelchair training project officer, said: "We are very excited to be launching our first pilot scheme.

"We chose Bury because of the great support offered by Bury Education Authority, the Wheelchair Service and the Road Safety Unit for the project.

"Working with our local partners, we are very much looking forward to creating an enjoyable and rewarding scheme for local disabled youngsters."

She added: "Don't forget that if you are a potential volunteer or participant, we'd love to hear from you."

Paul Birch, Bury's principal road safety officer, commented: "We are delighted that Bury has been chosen for the Whizz-Kidz' pilot scheme.

"Training is an essential but often under-valued aspect of using a wheelchair and we very much hope it will help disabled youngsters feel safe and confident in getting out and about in the Bury area."

Last year, Whizz-Kidz received a grant for £133,500 to fund a three-year programme to develop high quality training for users of mobility equipment. Bury is the first pilot area.

To find out more information about taking part or volunteering, please contact Sarah Jefkins on 020 7233 6600 or, instead, e-mail s.jefkins@whizz-kidz.org.uk.