24 Hr Wheelchair Basketball Game

World Record Attempt for the World's Longest Wheelchair Basketball Game. 26th-27th May 2017. Ellis Guilford School, Nottingham.

Why Wheelchair Basketball?
My son Steven has a condition called Friedreichs Ataxia. For years we tried to find a sport or pastime that he could do and include his friends in. It's been very difficult as he is in a wheelchair full- time and his co-ordination skills are very poor due to his condition.

A while ago, we heard a new wheelchair basketball group was opening locally so we went along as a family. We found a brillant group he could join in with and best of all enjoy!

After a year of being in the group, Steven's Ataxia attacked his eye sight and his vision became poor. This did not put Steven off going, he was still able to participate. However, sadly,  the funding the group received ran out in October 2016 and it had to close. 

Where will the money raised go?
Ellis Guilford School, where Stephen attends, have now offered to give us the use of their sports hall for a new wheelchair basketball club, but we need new sports chairs and equipment. We have borrowed a few and, in the capable hands of coach Rob and Nottingham Hoods, have started up a club on Wednesday nights.

This new group is fully inclusive, open to everybody from 5 to 100 years old, disabled and able bodied. We know this sport has improved the mental and physical health of several of the members with disabilities; it has given them a platform to build confidence and make friends whilst learning new skills; and lastly gives them something to look forward to every week - something many of them have never had before.

Sometimes, we have to turn people away because we don't have enough chairs to go around. As the club grows each week, it is becoming a bigger problem. We would really love to be able to buy our own chairs so as many people as possible can join in. If you would be kind enough to support our club there would be no words that could ever thank you enough!

Sports wheelchairs are extremely expensive at £1000 each and we wish to make the club accessible to all with different sizes too.  However, if we are able to raise enough money for these, we would love to provide house adaptations for Stephen to support his independence and also the oppportunity for him to  experience different places to supplement his education. We would also like to give money to Ataxia UK so they can continue their good work in raising awareness and finding a cure.

How can you help?
Ellis Guilford School are working closely with Steven and his family and setting up a 24 hour sponsored wheelchair basketball game on 26th - 27th May to help raise awareness for Freidriech's Ataxia. There will be a Community Fun Day on 27th May. If you are a local business who would like to have a stall at the fun day, or if you would like to  volunteer  to help out, please contact Marketing and Communications Officer Claire Moore at Ellis Guilford School. Donations can also be made on this page!

Any support would be fantastic.

- Sue