Woodbridge Rugby Club raises funds for 10 new rugby wheelchairs for their Wheeled Warriors
Woodbridge Rugby Club became the only centre offering wheelchair rugby in the East of England earlier this year, inspired by the Paralympics. Following a series of taster sessions to gauge demand and the subsequent formation of a squad of 10 players, the club has now raised enough funds to buy the specialist wheelchairs required for the team.
The funding has been generously donated by EDF Energy, Mike Gray - who cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money and is the father of Mark Gray a wheeled warrior - and through a charitable donation in memory of Mary and Ronald Murphy.
This money is the last step in making the Wheeled Warriors self-sufficient. They no longer need to borrow the specialist wheelchairs from GBWR, and can keep them at their training ground at Rock Barracks in Woodbridge.
The team would like to thank everyone who has enabled them to be part of this team, from the volunteers at Woodbridge Rugby Club to the donors who have facilitated the provision of the necessary equipment and to the organisations who have supported them in getting this far.
Joy Elias, one of the Wheeled Warriors, said; “Being part of a sports team is something I never thought I would be able to do. We’re brothers. It’s made such a difference to the way I look at myself and has introduced me to the best group of people. We’re all so grateful to everyone who has given us the opportunity to play this amazing sport"
Pictured is Mike Grey, fundraiser.
If you are interested in this sport (or know somebody who is) you can contact Woodbridge Wheelchair Rugby here and Wheelpower here.
Woodbridge Wheelchair rugby are on Facebook here and on twitter ( @woodbridgerugby)