I have Cerebral Palsy and have been in a Wheelchair for around 5 years. I first saw Wheelchair Rugby at the 2016 Olympics and thought that looks brilliant.
I attended the insport session in Cardiff and tried a number of Sports, the only one that appealed to me was Wheelchair Rugby.
I was invited to train with the Ospreys and Started there in 2017, we then went to the 5’s series in Stoke Mandeville and it was brilliant, but I noticed everyone had their own chairs and it seemed that it made a difference to their performance. Following the 5’s Tournament, It was announced that The Dragons we’re starting up a team and a few from the Ospreys went over to help start up, a few weeks of training and I realised that the Dragons were far more welcoming and hit it off with a few of the Dragons and decided to transfer from the Ospreys. The Dragons are like a family every member looking out for each other.
Due to the experience in the 5 series, I decided I should get a made to measure Rugby Chair, the cost £3800. Which is a significant amount of money, I thought it would take me years to save for a chair, then I saw information regarding disability sports Grants.
The Bruce Wake Trust and the Sports Foundation Grant. I applied to both parties in hope more than expectation. Then brilliant news Bruce Wake Trust offered me £1900, Sports Foundation Offer me £1,000 and GBWR membership got me discount on a Roma Chair the cost was now £3150, with the Grants, I had a made to measure Rugby Wheelchair and only had to pay £250, can’t wait to try it.
I can’t thank The Bruce Wake Trust and Sports Foundation for their wonderful generosity in helping me fund my own chair.
Julian