Thompson Smith and Puxon proudly co-sponsors Colchester WheelPower Sports Festival
The following press release was adapted from a version kindly supplied by Trevor Sayer of The Colchester Rotary Club. All photos courtesy of Tiia West Photography and kindly provided with agreement of all in attendance.
Thompson Smith and Puxon were delighted to co-sponsor the WheelPower Sports Festival for disabled adults and children at the Sports Park, Northern Gateway, Colchester, last week. TSP were proud to support this event alongside WheelPower and the amazing volunteers from The Rotary Club of Colchester. The day was free to all taking part and included lunch and transport from schools to the event.
As there is currently limited scope for disabled people to get involved with sport in the Colchester and North Essex area, this initiative offered people with physical disabilities the chance to come together, try something new, and enjoy the benefits of sport.
Created in collaboration with the national charity Wheelpower, The Rotary Club of Colchester and local community groups across Essex, the festival is designed to help disabled people into sports by providing an inclusive environment where participants can explore five different sports activities. WheelPower is at the heart of wheelchair sport for disabled young people; from first timers to Paralympic medallists. They have been providing opportunities for people with physical impairments to take part in sport for over 75 years. Based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, WheelPower support and promote participation at all levels.
Attended by Hasina Choudhury (Hana) and Steve Webb from TSP's Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team, more than 35 disabled people aged from 6 to 60 tried a range of five different sports including laser shooting, paragolf and wheelchair cricket. With expert coaches from local clubs on hand, activities were tailored to different abilities, ensuring everyone gets the most out of the experience.
Of the event, Hana Choudhury commented: "Thompson Smith and Puxon is incredibly proud to have supported the WheelPower Sports Festival, an event that truly showcases the power of sport in bringing people together and breaking down barriers. As a clinical negligence lawyer specialising in brain and birth injury cases, I see first-hand the challenges faced by those living with disabilities. Opportunities like this - where disabled children and adults can try new sports in an inclusive, supportive environment - are invaluable. Sport is not just about physical activity; it’s about confidence, community, and independence. It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the day and having the chance to try something new."
Rotary President Trevor Sayer said: "The Sports Festival was a great success, and I thank Wheelpower, the qualified instructors, and Rotarian volunteers on delivering a super event. Also, the sponsors, Thompson, Smith & Puxon, Fiducia Wealth Management and Lion Walk Management in Colchester for helping to finance the event alongside the Rotary Club of Colchester. Playing sport can enrich lives, offer tremendous physical and psychological benefits, whatever the age or ability of the participant. We were also delighted to welcome Martin McElhatton OBE, CEO, of Wheelpower and Ms Eva Loeffler OBE, the daughter of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the Founder of the Paralympic Games, which originated at Stoke Mandeville. The participants came away full of excitement, with improved self-confidence."