Ken Rogan, 39, runs K.R. Fitness based in Fenham, a not-for-profit organisation that supports disabled people through inclusive coaching
Ken Rogan, 39, who operates K.R. Fitness, and has had his ‘essential’ laptop stolen(Image: K.R. Fitness)
A personal trainer from Newcastle who lives with cerebral palsy is “devastated” after his laptop, which is essential to both his personal and professional life, was stolen. Ken Rogan, 39, runs K.R. Fitness based in Fenham, a not-for-profit organisation that supports disabled people through inclusive coaching.
He uses his laptop for everything, from managing his carers and his own appointments, to creating adapted exercise plans, running community sessions and contacting his clients, with Ken describing the equipment as his “lifeline”.
On Wednesday, December 3, Ken was travelling home from Newcastle city centre back to the Fenham area when his bag was taken from the back of his powered wheelchair, containing the laptop, and other equipment totalling around £1,500.
With his insurance not covering the theft, and police unable to find the culprit, Ken has setup a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds to replace the vital computer, as he continues to work to build something positive for other people living with disabilities.
Ken Rogan, 39, who operates K.R. Fitness, and has had his ‘essential’ laptop stolen(Image: K.R. Fitness)
Ken said: “This whole situation has turned everything upside down for me, and it has happened as I’ve been trying to help others. I’m a qualified personal trainer, and founded K.R. Fitness earlier this year because I want to make health and fitness more accessible for people with disabilities.
“I travel around a lot with what I do, and this has massively knocked my confidence as a disabled person. This just shouldn’t be happening, and I don’t understand how there are people in society that would do something like this.
“Why do people lower themselves to this sort of behaviour? I just want to live an independent and confident life, and help others do the same, and I don’t think people realise the full impact that this has on people’s lives.
Ken Rogan, 39, who operates K.R. Fitness, and has had his ‘essential’ laptop stolen(Image: K.R. Fitness)
“I just want to say to people that if they are struggling and need help, and are going to resort to stealing like that, just talk to someone. I would always help people if they came up and spoke to me, but acting in this way instead is just a disgrace.”
If you have read this story and would like to donate to Ken, to help him get a new laptop and equipment, visit the GoFundMe page, which has currently raised £100 of its £1,500 target, here.
Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community
Join our shopping deals and bargains community
Join our Christmas and New Year community