Introducing Katie - a well travelled mum with a thirst for outdoor adventure!

It gives us great pleasure to introduce Katie, who accessed Outdoor Mobility via a succession of Single Use memberships during a period of 2025.

A professor of psychology, with a focus on chimpanzee communication, Katie is a true aficionado of the great outdoors. She has travelled far and wide chasing primates around jungles in various countries, including Uganda. Animals are Katie’s passion, and she absolutely loves to be out in nature, seeking out wildlife against beautiful backdrops. An avid mountain climber and horse rider, Katie regularly visits the Lake District and Scotland with her husband, eleven-year-old son, Harry, and Irish Setter Murphy. Harry loves outdoor adventure as much as his mum, particularly wild swimming. In Katie’s own words, ‘being outside in beautiful landscapes is an integral part of my life’.

Unfortunately, disaster struck when a freak trampolining accident left Katie immobilised with a nasty knee injury, requiring surgery. Katie found herself wearing a cast or brace for most of the summer, needing crutches to get around. For such an active family, this came as a huge blow – Katie simply couldn’t manage the exciting outdoor adventures they would normally enjoy together and even had to cancel a planned family trip to Madagascar.

Katie found herself searching the internet for ways to access the outdoors and came across Outdoor Mobility. Her immediate reaction was simply ‘wow’! Katie had found a way to turn her summer with Harry around. She decided to book single Tramper trips as she wasn’t sure how long her mobility would be impaired.

Despite her setback, Katie ended up having ‘a really positive summer’, enjoying Tramper trips with Harry, as well as friends. Katie would plan day trips where friends could accompany her, and they enjoyed sunny picnics along the way. The Trampers encouraged Katie to visit places she wouldn’t have otherwise considered, and she particularly enjoyed her visits to Sutton Bank and Harewood House. Katie also accessed Trampers via our sister charity, Countryside Mobility, when visiting Wales. During their time there, Harry relished the opportunity for some wild swimming! Katie also recommended the scheme to a friend, Alex, who was recently diagnosed with a chronic condition. The Trampers provided a wonderful opportunity for Katie and Alex to get into the great outdoors together, and when Katie is fully mobile again, she looks forward to accompanying Alex on foot, for more Tramper adventures.

Katie says the Trampers have brought her ‘a lot of joy’. They enabled her to enjoy her summer as a mum, adventuring with her son, when she would have otherwise been unable. Katie has also enjoyed getting out with her dog, Murphy, an obedient Red Setter, who has learned to ‘walk to heel’ with her companions, alongside the Trampers. Getting out into nature with Harry and Murphy is so important to Katie’s wellbeing and mental health and the Trampers have facilitated this crucial family time.

Katie believes the scheme is a must for parents with limited mobility. Her advice to anyone considering a Tramper trip is ‘absolutely, just do it’! In Katie’s opinion, the scheme offers ‘incredibly affordable and flexible options’, and the Tramper ride itself is an exciting one! Rather than feeling she was accessing a mobility aid, Katie said the Tramper is ‘fun to use’ and ‘feels a bit wild’. The most important aspect for Katie though, is freedom, and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with her loved ones.

If you’d like to feature in one of our ‘Meet a Member’ profiles, we’d love to hear from you. Email your name and contact details to info@outdoormobility.org and we’ll be in touch!