A huge congratulation to Penrith Pumas Wheelchair Rugby Club who have recently won £60,000 following a public vote as part of The Peoples Projects. Their project, Promoting Unbelievable Mental Attitude, was one of the 95 organisations across the UK that was in with a chance of winning the enormous amount of money. The clubs hard working volunteers applied to The People’s Projects with their aim to deliver wheelchair rugby sessions for people with life changing injuries or long-term chronic health conditions. The funding will expand its support to make a positive long-lasting change to more people’s lives, demonstrating that there should be no limitations in what can be achieved post injury or diagnosis.
The club have said:
The funds will be utilised to assist in the week to week running of the club, as well as engaging communities across Cumbria through the power of sport, specifically Wheelchair Rugby. In doing so the club aim to build stronger connections across different communities empowering them to become more inclusive, thus promoting access to sport for all.
This will be achieved by offering the opportunity to play the game, help with kit, preparing and repairing equipment, becoming a referee, or keeping score. The families of those playing, including their children, can help as ball catchers and refreshment carriers. We will provide the team the chance to learn new skills that require discipline, tactics, teamwork, communication, and support both physical and mental health – and above all enjoyment.
The Puma’s campaign, ‘Promoting Unbelievable Mental Attitude’, was heard by the wheelchair rugby community who got behind the club to help secure the votes required for them to secure this funding. It is hoped that the campaign will draw the attention of potential new players and volunteers across the whole of the UK, and thus benefitting the wider wheelchair rugby community.
Penrith Pumas Team Manager, Megan Pettit, said:
The award will help the club to foster positive relationships with key stakeholders showing them how our members have overcome adversity both physically and mentally which is humbling, inspiring and truly motivational. Thus, advocating the needs for our community environments to be inclusive rather than exclusive.
She also expressed thanks to all those who had taken the time to vote for the Pumas in their successful campaign.
To watch the clubs project video and read more about their project click here.
