IOL Accessible Outdoor Learning Conference 2026

Christine Fox

With a background in science research and education spanning far longer than she would like to admit, and a lifelong love of adventure, Christine is the MTB Health Programmes and Leadership Development Manager for Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS).

She is convinced she has the best job in the world and is passionate about getting as many people as possible outdoors, on bikes of all kinds, and into nature. Christine’s role is to develop, coordinate and secure funding for the many projects within the DMBinS Health pillar. These include programmes supporting more people from underrepresented groups into off-road cycling and using the bike as a vehicle to support people experiencing mental ill health and wellbeing challenges.

Alongside this, Christine supports the continued development and evolution of the Mountain Bike Leadership Awards with British Cycling, helping to create opportunities for more people to develop their skills, confidence and leadership through mountain biking.

Christine is also operational within her local Mountain Rescue team and loves a good run in the hills or a bit of rock climbing when time allows. But most of all, she is inspired by our wild and woolly places, how amazing they can make you feel — even in the worst of weather — and that cake (any cake!) after a long day in the hills, is the best cake ever.

Neil Russell

Neil comes from a background of sports coaching and education, with a particular focus on ‘the inclusion of physically disabled people in the outdoors’. For over 15 years Neil has worked with people of all ages, levels of experience and backgrounds to grow their skills and confidence in sport.

Having started as a swimming teacher, Neil has spent the last 5 years teaching, supporting and leading people in off-road adaptive cycling and building the Adaptive Riders Collective, a charity which supports people with physical disabilities to get out into nature through the use of off-road adaptive cycling equipment.

As one of the first adaptive cyclists to become a fully qualified Off-Road Leader with British Cycling, Neil has a real passion for helping others have the opportunity to become mountain bike leaders and support riders to become confident, capable and enthusiastic leaders and advocates for the physical, social and mental health benefits that cycling and getting outdoors has to offer everyone.

Neil's passion for adventure and pushing the perceived boundaries of what is possible is infectious and his energy and enthusiasm leave all who ride and learn with him inspired and motivated to push their own limits and get out of their comfort zones.

Darren Swift

Darren Swift was injured by an IRA bomb in May 1991 while serving with the Army’s Dog Unit in Belfast.

He went through 18 months of recovery at Woolwich Hospital and Headley Court before being offered the chance to stay in the Army. Not keen on “plinky plonky desk work” he opted to be discharged in 1992.

“It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he says. He went on a number of expeditions over the next few years, including canoe trips to the Arctic and a solo “trike ride” around Iceland. After becoming one of the first ex military amputee skydivers with Alistair Hodgson they won a gold medal at the 2003 British Championships.

Swifty then became an amputee snowboarding pioneer. “Again, I got: ‘You can’t snowboard, you’ve got no legs,’ but I drew a design for some bindings on a beer mat and eventually made it happen. Now I’m at my happiest screaming down a mountain.”

He has also had multiple successes as an actor, does TV and film extra work, and takes part in ‘casualty simulations’ in which he plays the role of an injured soldier to teach military and emergency service personnel how to respond in critical situations.

Swifty also works as a public speaker in the education and corporate sectors using his incredible story to inspire and motivate others and is a BASI Snowboard Instructor/Coach working as a volunteer with HM Forces and the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team. He and Dale Rennard (former Calvert Trust) have founded and now Co Direct DAKScom a Not for Profit CIC that facilitates and develops Snowboarding opportunities for Double Above Knee Amputees.

Image: Blesma, The Limbless Veterans (Facebook)