Funding for sports wheelchair??

[Graciefer]

DH volunteers at a PHAB (physically handicapped & able bodied) club, one evening a week.

There is a young woman there who is in a wheel chair and was telling DH that she needs to get a new RGK sports wheelchair as she has outgrown her old one (which whizzkids funded when she was 14) as she is now 24.

However she said that these wheelchairs are very expensive and she wouldn't be able to afford one for a long time.

DH told me about this, so I thought I would post to see if anyone had any ideas about any grants or funding she may be able to apply for or if there were any suppliers that were significantly cheaper than others.

She is very into her sports and it seems so unfair that something that she needs because of her disability is out of her reach because of the expensive, although this seems to be the case for all things special needs (£400 for a special needs car seat anyone).

Any help or suggestions would be gratefully recieved and passed on to the young woman in question.

Thanks in advance.

I should point out, this wheelchair would be for sports use and not everyday use, her normal chair is still fine for that.

If there is a sports fund in your area the local council sports officers hopefuly would know of it and have contact details. I applied to the one in Reading and was awarded 100 quid-for new racing wheel rim & tyre. Had to write a report of my sporting endevours and send a thank you with update after next event.
If your in Reading I can see if i have any details stil - but it was 6/8 yrs ago.

Also, if there is a nearby wheelchair sports club, I would contact them and ask for advice. Chances are they are aware of all grants and funding available locally.

Thanks for the advice, we are in South Devon, but I will definately pass your suggestions on.

Infact your ideas have reminded me that DH worked very closely with the area 'Sports England' worker, when he was a Youth Development Officer, I am sure they used to sponsor people sometimes. I will get him to give her a call.

Thanks again and sorry for not replying sooner, been so busy with half-term.

AFAIK there is a wheelchair basket ball club in Exeter- The Otters. Some one there may know about devon funds. a few years back the club had a couple of "spare" sports chairs for people to use when trying the sport &/or not having a suitable chair of their own. ( i used one when I tried it out.)
www.sportfocus.com/comdir/cditem.cfm?nid=61517
has conatct details for the Otters.

Have you tried the Variety Club? Have never used it myself, but a contact of mine told me that they were always struggling to find enough people to give wheelchairs to!