Kris Saunders-Stowe, who runs exercise classes for people with mobility issues, including those who use a wheelchair, has been invited to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Kris told the Ross Gazette that he was thrilled to receive a letter advising that he had been put forward to attend one of the garden parties at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his work with Wheely Good Fitness within the community.

He said: “This is an honour and not something I had expected to be invited to, but it is humbling to think that people feel so strongly that what I do is so important.”

Kris started his exercise classes as a way to be able to return to work doing a job that was accommodating of his disability, but also rewarding and worthwhile. He said: “It’s a fine balance as there is a limit on what I can do each day or in a week before it has a negative and detrimental impact on my health.

“I have learned to balance my health to a degree and I do my best to give 100% to my work and my clients. The reward for me is not only having a job that I enjoy but I am rewarded seeing the benefits it gives to others.”

Alongside his work as a fitness instructor Kris has produced three DVDs. The third one is just about to be released. The first two have proved very popular with their up beat and modern approach to exercise for people living with a disability. The new DVD concentrates on flexibility and a range of movement which he hopes will attract a wider audience and client group and, as with the other DVDs, £1 from each sale will be donated to Scope.

In August Kris is taking part in a Superhero event at Dorney Lake, Windsor. This event was held two years ago under a different name and Wheely Good Fitness took two teams to compete in the Half Paratriathalon. This year he has seven teams, four sprint teams, two half para teams and Kris is competing in a new event called the Sidekick Paratri. This is where the person competing has to tow someone throughout the swim, bike and push event. He will be towing an able bodied person in this event.

Kris was also approached by a modelling and acting agency following the Paralympics commercial and now has an agent putting him forward for various projects. He has filmed a comedy pilot and was offered a part in a film. However, he had to turn this down as the date clashed with another pre-arranged event.

He is very proud that one of his clients, who has been attending the classes for a few years now, will be taking on her first marathon this Sunday. Due to a few health issues he didn’t put himself forward for London this year so he encouraged one of his clients to go for it instead. She will be participating in the London Marathon in her wheelchair for Scope.