Leisure Connection - one of the first to support the 2012 new sports wheelchairs by 2012 campaign

WheelPower, the national organisation for wheelchair sport has launched its Wheel Appeal - challenging the nation to raise enough money to provide 2012 sports wheelchairs for young disabled athletes by 2012.

The Wheel Appeal ‘challenge’ to the nation was laid down by Anneka Rice, in the presence of the Minister of Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP. The appeal aims to raise £6 million, enough money to provide 2012 sports wheelchairs to disabled children and young adults by the time the Paralympics return home in August 2012.

Leading leisure management company Leisure Connection is one of the first companies to throw its weight behind the appeal. They are asking each of their 30 Contract Mangers to raise enough money for at a wheelchair, which equates to a total of £90,000. This money will be fundraised across their estate of 30 leisure and sports contracts across the country.

Just £3,000 will provide a new sports wheelchair, the training and support from WheelPower’s expert staff at Stoke Mandeville Stadium to enable each disabled child and adult to participate in sport and to lead a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life.

In launching this appeal Anneka Rice laid down her personal ‘challenge’ to the public, companies and sports organisations to support this campaign, which will enable so many wheelchair athletes to achieve their sporting dreams by removing the key barriers to participation in sport.

Anneka said "Without these specially adapted wheelchairs, kids simply cannot participate in sport. What could be more worthwhile and exciting than giving 2012 people, disabled through accident or illness, the gift of speed and flexibility. The results would be life-changing and lead to opportunities and options denied to most disabled people".
The Minister of Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Britain has a proud history in Paralympic sport with our Paralympic athletes amongst the best in the world. All athletes have to start somewhere and having the right equipment from an



early age is vital if our disabled children and young people are going to get involved in sport and have the opportunity to pursue it to the next level."
Graham Farrant, chief executive of Leisure Connection, said: “We have been working with WheelPower for a number of years and know first hand the truly inspirational difference this charity makes to the lives of people who have been previously unable to participate in top-level sport because of a lack of suitable wheelchairs and support. When we heard about the appeal we were only too pleased to be able to show our support. I am confident that the wheelchairs that Leisure Connection is looking to donate will change the lives of at least 30 disabled people and their families.”
Each year, approximately 1,000 men, women and children become paralysed due to an accident or illness.  Through sport these people whose lives have been traumatically changed, can have an outlet for their frustrations and energy.

WheelPower’s national disability sports centre at Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.

Leisure Connection sponsored the launch event on Wednesday 17 October in London.