Case Studies
South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) has funded a variety of projects throughout the region that make a big impact on local communities. We use our expertise and local knowledge to make targeted grants, connecting people who care to causes that matter.
Law Firm backing Wheelchair Athletes
28th April 2008
Local law firm Ashton Morton Slack has given £1330 from their fund with South Yorkshire Community Foundation to the Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club.
They were moved to support the club to buy equipment for wheelchairs required to run taster sessions of wheelchair basketball in schools when they saw the positive impact the taster sessions have had on the lives of many disabled schoolchildren, who can often feel excluded. The sessions provide practical opportunities for disabled and non-disabled children to take part in wheelchair basketball.
Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club is based at the Northern General Hospital and members come from all over South Yorkshire. The club, run by disabled and non-disabled volunteers, encourages people of all ages and all abilities to become fully involved in the organisation of the club. They run five teams that compete in the GB Wheelchair Basketball Association National and Super league competitions and have many experienced players including paralympians who are fantastic role models for developing and newly injured players.
The taster sessions in schools are part of the Leader programme run by the club, which encourages more disabled young people to become physically active through participating in wheelchair basketball. Funding for this was also received from Awards for All and the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People.
The 'Inclusive Zone Basketball' Championship at the English Institute of Sport was the climax of all the school development work the Steelers have been delivering. Inclusive Zone Basketball is a combination of running and wheelchair basketball, which brings disabled and non-disabled people together in this exciting new game. The championship was the first to be held anywhere in the UK and is now being used as a model by the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association, with interest from other countries, as an innovative way to promote inclusion.
Pauline Grice, Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, said: "We are delighted to support such an exciting project that has pioneered new ideas for creating a positive impact on the lives of disabled children and to be able to link Ashton Morton Slack's Fund, through our professional grant making service, to such an innovative and inclusive community organisation."
Lisa Cooke, Marketing and Events Manager from Ashton Morton Slack said: "It is fantastic to help support such a wonderful and exciting project that is having so much impact on the lives of disabled and non-disabled children."
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