A ROSS man who set up a group of fitness classes for disabled people has two big dates in the capital coming up.

Kris Saunders-Stowe of Wheely Good Fitness has been invited to 10 Downing Street for a reception for volunteers and staff from the charity, Scope.

The 44-year-old has been invited because of his fitness classes which he has set up for disabled people in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

He set up his business last year called Wheely Good Fitness and teaches spin and other classes.

Mr Saunders-Stowe said he has been overwhelmed to see the change in some of the people who use his class.

He said: "One lady is able to push herself in her chair, which she couldn't do before. She hasn't been able to self propel for 30-odd-years. It is a significant change."

Others have improved their flexibility; lost weight and gained confidence.

Elliot Evans, who takes part in the classes, is also going to the Prime Minister's office in February.

Mr Saunders-Stowe, who started using a wheelchair just over two years ago due to joint problems, has also been selected to be just one of 12 standard wheelchair entrants in the London Marathon in April. He is raising money for the Ross and Hereford branches of the MS Society.

His training is going well and he said he want to show people what they are capable of.

Encouraged by this, three wheelchair users who come to his classes have entered the Hereford Half Marathon with him in May. Along with an able bodied entrant, the five will be raising money for St Michael's Hospice. To sponsor them go to www.justgiving.com/WheelyGoodFitnessTeam/

This will then be followed with Mr Saunders-Stowe doing the Wheelie Big Cycle in Hereford using a hand cycle.

To find out more about Wheely Good Fitness and the classes available go to www.wheelygoodfitness.com.

To sponsor Mr Saunders-Stowe in the London Marathon go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KrisSaundersStowe