Upside Down Sports Club
“The first trip to Calvert Trust was amazing for all us parents. To just see all of their little faces light up seeing themselves doing things they never thought they would do.” Catherine Ledsham, Treasurer
The smile on her son’s face was the reason Catherine Ledsham became involved with the Upside Down Sports Club. Her son uses a wheelchair, just like all the other boys and girls in the club. The Upside Down Sports Club is a club specifically for children in wheelchairs. Since the club was restarted in 2006, it has taken its members sailing, canoeing, skiing, fishing and bowling, as well as other activities.
The Club was originally founded in the 1990’s by pediatric physiotherapist Pam Wilkie and was open to all disabled children, not specifically children in wheelchairs. Unfortunately, the club closed in 1992 due to declining participation and lack of personnel. An amazing launch event complete with t-shirts and balloons in October 2006 was the perfect start for the Upside Down Sport Club’s comeback.
Following the launch party, the club had the first of many outings at the Calvert Trust Centre in Cumbria, an outdoor activity adventure experience for those with disabilities, where the children and parents got the first real taste of what being part of the club would involve. The Upside Down Sports Club provides these children with the opportunity to take part in regular physical activity and to have fun whilst doing it, something that they had not previously been able to find elsewhere.
The Upside Down Sports Club currently uses their membership of Attend for insurance and DBS checks. They are currently trying to raise the profile of the club to attract new members and volunteers. Since the launch of the Club in 2006, it has reformed its committee and hopes to attract new donors and more donations. For now, the Upside Down Sports Club will continue to run activities that will provide an environment in which the children can grow in confidence and have fun.
Created July 23, 2012
Upside Down Sports Club benefits from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
