WHEELCHAIR rugby will be coming to Worcester for the first time next month, thanks to a £9,650 national lottery grant.
The cash will enable Disabilty Sports Worcestershire to set up Worcestershire Wheelchair Rugby Club and offer weekly sessions at Perdiswell Leisure Centre.
The club, which has been working with GB Wheelchair Rugby, will enable people of all ages and disabilities to take part in the increasingly popular sport, meet new friends and improve their fitness, physical wellbeing and mental health.
The grant will fund bespoke wheelchairs, train coaches and ensure the club has a sustainable future.
Kimberly Grenfell, disability sport co-ordinator at Disability Sport Worcestershire, thanked National Lottery players for the funding and said: “Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome to come along and have a go.
“We’ve held taster sessions over the past few months that have been so popular, where we’ve seen families, carers and friends all get involved.
“It’s a fantastic way of bringing people together to socialise, get fit and learn new skills.”
Anyone interested should visit www.disabilitysportworcester.org.uk for more information.
The wheelchair rugby club was one of eight Faithful City projects to be awarded almost £80,000 worth of lottery grants.
Elsewhere the Disabled Ramblers and Friends of the 5th will receive £10,000 each.
The ramblers will buy specialised equipment to make the countryside more accessible for disabled people and Friends of the 5th will purchase camping and outdoor equipment so children and young people can improve their fitness and development.
Aspie will receive £9,850 to support people with autism and help them make everyday decisions.
Oasis Academy Warndon has £9,610 to build a sensory garden to bring people together and provide a community green space and The Word Association will use its £9,580 to support those experiencing mental health problems through creative writing.
Age UK Worcester and District has been awarded £9,575 to develop a new space for music and sports activities for older people through ‘Cafe Connect’.
And Sight Concern Worcestershire has been allocated £9,264 to improve its website and offer a range of services for people living with sight loss.
