Leisure Connection shows its support for WheelPower’s Wheel Appeal in 2010

Sports and leisure provider, Leisure Connection has raised an impressive £21,300 for its nominated corporate charity – WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, with the combined support of its staff and members.

Sites in Leisure Connection’s North Kesteven contract, which includes the North Kesteven Centre as well as arts, theatres and sports development initiatives, topped the table as the company’s top fundraiser with over £3,600 raised in 2010, followed by Stoke Mandeville Stadium which raised £2,100, Lilleshall National Sports Centre which raised £1,500 and Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre which raised £1,700.

Richard Millman, CEO of Leisure Connection comments: “Playing sport can appear to be a relatively simple thing to do to those of us who are able bodied. Unfortunately it’s not always that easy for someone with a disability who uses a wheelchair. Specialist equipment is often required, which is where our donations to WheelPower’s Wheel Appeal come in.”

WheelPower’s Wheel Appeal aims to raise £6,000,000 to provide over 2,000 disabled people with a new sports wheelchair, training and coaching that will enable them to participate in sport and enjoy competitive and recreational sport.

Since becoming its nominated charity, Leisure Connection has been able to raise over £50,500 for WheelPower, which Leisure Connection works in partnership with at Stoke Mandeville Stadium near Aylesbury, the national centre for disability sport.

Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower commented, “The support from Leisure Connection is fantastic and it is wonderful that staff and members from so many sites have supported the Wheel Appeal. Sport plays a vital role in transforming lives which have been impacted by disability. WheelPower helps provide equipment, facilities and sporting opportunities for disabled people and this support will enable us to continue to do this.”

Leisure Connection is the market leader of outsourced quality leisure, cultural and fitness services to Local Authorities.