More than £1.5 million has been awarded to a range of good causes in Cumbria — including the county’s first wheelchair rugby club, Penrith Pumas.
A total of 115 community organisations received a share of £1.4 million and more than 80 people received grants, including ones to support young athletes, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence. The awards aim to help tackle issues including loneliness, unemployment, mental illness and fuel poverty.
The money came from funds set up by local people and businesses including Carr’s Group, Lamont Pridmore, English Lakes Hotels, Lakeland Ltd, Thomas Graham & Sons and Herdy.
Penrith Pumas, who are based at the town’s leisure centre, received £10,000 from the GVC Fund to purchase bespoke wheelchairs and cover venue hire costs.
The club offers individuals with any form of physical impairment, long term chronic health condition or disability the opportunity to come along and participate in the sport.
Megan Petit, club manager, said: “For many of our members, living with life changing injuries, or long-term health conditions can leave them feeling angry and caged in a body that they’ll never be satisfied with.
“We strive to provide an all-inclusive environment where their impairments are not the elephant in the room.
“Physically, wheelchair rugby impacts on player’s strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Mentally, it helps their resilience, improves their mood and reduces stress levels, which in turn can directly improve family life.
“Many players come from a pre-disability occupational background in the forces involving strategy, power, competition and teamwork. Wheelchair rugby provides these areas and gives players an outlet to practise them which aids continuation of skills from one area of life to another.”
Annalee Holliday, senior grants officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are grateful to the generosity of our fundholders which enables us to support these worthy organisations that are working hard during these difficult times to meet local needs.”
