106 JACK fm

A disabled man from Stevenage, who's campaigned for equal rights all his life, has been chosen to carry the Paralympic Torch...

Arthur Bate suffers with cerebral palsy but that hasn't stopped him highlighting inequalities through his thirty years of voluntary work across Hertfordshire.

The 53 year-old even set up disability advocacy charity POhWER ("People Of Hertfordshire Want Equal Rights") which says the Paralympics are a real chance for the public to engage with the disabled and better understand them.

Arthur told JACK fm: "Because I was born disabled, I’ve always been a bit of a fighter. Because all through my life, to get services, and where I wanted to be, I have always had to be a bit strong-willed.

All through my life professionals have said ‘you can’t do that’. If I wanted to do it I would make my mind up and I would solve the problem."

VIDEO: Arthur talks about being nominated as a Paralympic Torchbearer...

Speaking about his nomination to carry the Paralympic Torch, Arthur said: "It was wonderful, it’s brilliant, I can’t believe that I am going to do it, that I was picked out of thousands of people, it was a real honour.

When I am on that track carrying the torch, it is going to be something really special."

(BELOW: Elizabeth Hawkes)

AUDIO: Elizabeth Hawkes and Arthur Bate from the POhWER charity chat to JACK fm..

For more information about the Stevenage-based POhWER charity click here.

See Arthur's official listing on the Paralympics website here

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