Support from two Teesside Charities helps Middlesbrough Powerchair Football get on the road

Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club is set to overcome one of its biggest barriers to participation following a £7,000 donation from two Teesside Charities.

The Teesside Charity and The Teesside Family Foundation demonstrated how collaboration between local funders can help make a bigger difference by each contributing £3,500 towards an accessible minibus.

Based at Middlesbrough Sports Village, the club provides opportunities for people of all ages and genders to use electric wheelchairs to enjoy competitive football in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club currently has around 30 regular players, many of whom face significant challenges when travelling to matches and training. Accessible transport can be difficult to arrange and expensive, with some players missing out on opportunities to take part as a result.

By combining their funding, the two charities have helped the club secure the money needed for the minibus which will give players the opportunity to travel together and also allow the club to tow a trailer containing the specialist powerchairs used in competitions.

The club estimates that between 60 and 70 people, including players and carers, will benefit from the project each year and allow them to welcome a further five to eight players over the next two years.

Tony Wedlake, founder of The Teesside Family Foundation, said: “Disability should never be a barrier to enjoying sport, being part of a team or achieving your dreams. For these players, football is about so much more than winning matches. It’s about friendship, confidence, independence and belonging.

“Both charities have a longstanding relationship with Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club, and we’re proud to join forces to help remove the barriers that prevent people from doing something they love. No one should be left on the sidelines.”

The Teesside Charity helped the club purchase its first powerchairs in 2011/12 and further funding has supported specialist equipment allowing players to take part in the sport.

Harriet Spalding, chair of trustees at The Teesside Charity added: “Being part of a team is something many of us take for granted, but for people with severe physical difficulties, the opportunities can be limited.

“Middlesbrough Powerchair Football does fantastic work to make sport accessible, giving its players a chance to compete, make friends and build confidence. It would be such a shame for anyone to miss out simply because they can’t get to the match.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved when local charities work together. By combining our funding with The Teesside Family Foundation, we’ve been able to help the club achieve something that might otherwise have taken much longer.”

This latest donation, alongside the funding from The Teesside Family Foundation, will help the club continue to make competitive football more accessible to people with severe physical difficulties across the Tees Valley.