A wheelchair sports club founded by a former paralympic world record holder is going from strength to strength and attracting members from across North Wales.<\/p>\n
Now they have been helped in a drive for more young sportspeople by a \u00a32,000 grant for a junior sport wheelchair and a set of kit from the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).<\/p>\n
Rhyl Raptors was set up in 2010 by Mike Hayes, born with spina bifida and who competed in the pentathlon at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics and briefly held the 1500 metres paralympic world record.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI was a pentathlete and was in the first heat of our last event, the 1500 metres, when I set it and it was the fastest ever time but it only lasted as long as the second heat.<\/p>\n
He said \u201cI came back to Rhyl and in 2010 myself and some friends realised there was nothing locally for people with physical disability to play sport regularly so we set Rhyl Raptors up and it\u2019s grown from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
It now caters for 60 regular participants aged from seven to the mid-70s from across North Wales along with friends and supporters who take the membership up to about 100 but they want to help more young people get into sport.<\/p>\n
Mike added: \u201cI was from Rhyl but went to Ysgol Gogarth a special school in Colwyn Bay which was excellent but now it\u2019s much better with disabled children going to their local schools but there are still few opportunities for them to take part in sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat especially true since Covid and that\u2019s why we\u2019re focused on giving them that chance including the benefits of the social aspects of being part of a sports club.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe money we\u2019ve been given will help us buy a children\u2019s chair costing \u00a31500 and new kit and that\u2019s massive for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe chair is quick and mobile. The frame is designed for contact and protection with anti-tip wheels so it\u2019s very strong and very stable and it means more opportunities for young members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the most inclusive sport you can get because you can play as an able-bodied person and you can have mixed age and gender teams and while we mainly play basketball there are opportunities for other sports as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buying the new equipment was made possible by PCSO Sabrina Illman-Roberts who applied for the funding after meeting the group through her partner who is in a wheelchair and was a member of the Raptors.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cMy PCSO colleagues and I came down to the club to help out and we were so impressed with what they were doing, especially with the youngsters who are such a great bunch of kids.<\/p>\n
We could see the fun they were having and being in a wheelchair puts everyone on the same playing field, in fact they are teaching us a few things\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sabrina applied for a PACT grant and it came through with PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers visiting the club and even having a go at wheelchair basketball.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s important that everyone should have equal opportunity to take part in physical activity which is incredibly important in improving mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose benefits have really positive effects on our communities and it is excellent to see PACT funding directly supporting Rhyl Raptors and to see the way the club is directly engaging with North Wales Police.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has come about because of Sabrina\u2019s involvement with the club, and being a member of the Force has been pivotal in gaining this funding and it shows what a great catalyst PACT is for local clubs and organisations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project is just one of many that have been supported by PACT, an independent charity launched in 1998 to support community initiatives, particularly those in which the police are involved.<\/p>\n
In that time it has helped over 2,500 projects, investing over \u00a31.6 million in communities across North Wales.<\/p>\n
Ashley Rogers added: \u201cFor many who are involved in the projects, this is their first interaction with the police, so making this a positive experience can have profound consequences on their future life choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom Gwynedd in the west across to Flintshire and Wrexham in the east, PACT continues to support projects that enable positive and sustainable community development and this has never been more important than right now in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
PACT offer a range of grants of up to \u00a32,000 for community projects \u2013 for more details and how to apply go to <\/strong>https:\/\/www.pactnorthwales.co.uk\/applications-ceisiadau\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n