British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Ltd

Most charity supported sports organisations are known solely by their core name, but the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation is known by both that and even more so by another; WheelPower. It is a business entity which has the one and only onus of helping create and maintain an environment for those who have suffered a major injury which will allow them to regain meaning and purpose in their life; through being an integral part of a suitable sports team. It goes without saying that to lose the ability to walk for example is absolutely catastrophic, and as such, the people who suffer with this type of affliction often find a life changing degree of comfort from being part of something along the lines of WheelPower.

Early Days of the B.W.S.F.

WheelPower was originally formed back in 1972, whereby it was initially named the British Paraplegic Sports Society. The founder member of the organisation was the now deceased Professor Sir Ludwig Guttman, who was at the forefront of truly revolutionising the treatment of people afflicted with spinal cord injuries, primarily at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital throughout the late 1940's and early 1950's.

Guttmann later began using various different sports as a vital component of the rehabilitation process for Second World War veterans who were left sorely shaken after their involvement in a conflict of such magnitude, and in 1948 actually set up a competition to coincide with the London Olympic Games. This was primarily based around hospitals and sports clubs partaking in different games, and from the original seed being planted all those years ago and subsequently nurtured by both Professor Guttmann himself and his extensive network of business colleagues, the supportive entity has developed into something which is now capable of providing facilities to enrich the lives of sufferers with many types of debilitating conditions.

Sports Used Within the B.W.S.F.

The phenomenal selection of different sports available to members of The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation really is nothing less than astounding. The basic list comprises of mainly snooker, archery, fencing, athletics, hand cycling, tennis, racquetball, specialised swimming, racquetball, badminton, basketball, powerlifting, wheelchair racing, hockey and skiing; plus quite a few other more offbeat and unorthodox sport-based games which are too unconventional to accurately describe in a concise article text like this. It may seem perplexing to many, that being exactly how people with severely impaired physical health or even actual missing limbs can participate in such sporting activities, but although a customised high-end wheelchair is without any doubt at all very helpful in assisting potential users, it is not a mandatory requirement by any means.

WheelPower have a really comprehensive set-up of general and targeted facilities, which effortlessly allows those with disabilities to take part in all of the sports mentioned previously; along with a lot more besides. It is frequently said that this foundation is the true number one powerhouse in Great Britain when it comes to providing help and support within this genre.

Fundraising Activities for the B.W.S.F.

As with almost every sports-based charity foundation, fundraising is of critical importance to ensure that the projects currently running can be first and foremost maintained, but also over time; added to and improved as well. However, it need not be said that all of these changes require an injection of cash, and with such a vast array of charitable entities operating in the UK at the moment, the government are only capable of providing so much assistance throughout the country. With this being the case, WheelPower have risen to the challenge adequately; and as such make every effort that they reasonably can to stimulate interest in their cause and subsequently gain an increase in financial donations. Grants and subsidies from appropriate council departments are received by the British Sports Wheelchair Foundation from time to time, but the bulk of their money is secured via local and national volunteers taking the time to run fundraising events, both in a physical and online capacity.

The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation is by no means a major player in the UK sports industry; and taking into account its obviously niche section in society, it is highly unlikely ever to be. With that said though, not many people would dispute for one second the importance of sports-based organisations throughout Great Britain which passionately support these types of tragically impaired people. Disabled athletes are now really starting to receive the most mainstream recognition and support they ever have done, thanks primarily to being well received at the Olympics of late; and it is therefore highly probable that the best is yet to come for these committed ladies and gentlemen.

B.W.S.F. Contact Information

You can find their website and contact details here http://www.wheelpower.org.uk