London Scottish is proud to be supporting disabled kids’ charity Whizz-Kidz for the home match against Nottingham Rugby on Saturday, April 11, 3pm kick-off.
Young beneficiaries of the charity will be coming down to cheer on the team and spending some time at the Ground pre-match to meet the players.
Staff from Whizz-Kidz will also be fundraising pre and post game and we'd love you to give what you can.
We believe the work of Whizz-Kidz is truly life-transforming – it supports local disabled children with vital wheelchairs, fun clubs, wheelchair skills training and work placement opportunities.
They work with disabled youngsters to make sure they don't miss out on their childhoods and help them to reach their full potential.
Children like Emma, 11, from Richmond.
Emma has cerebral palsy and needs to use a wheelchair to get around.
Before Whizz-Kidz, Emma used an NHS chair which wasn't right for her needs and meant being pushed around by adults; she longed for more independence.
However, after Whizz-Kidz was able to assess Emma and then provide her with a brand new powered wheelchair that met her needs, she found a new sense of confidence and ambition.
Emma has played Paralympic sport Boccia for Team Richmond at the London Youth Games and at school her new equipment helps her rise to the same level as her friends in the school choir – so her voice can be heard.
Her mum Penny said: “The impact Whizz-Kidz's powered wheelchair has on Emma’s life is astonishing.
“Before, we had to focus on the simple stuff, like going from one place to the next.
“Now, she has more self-confidence — and a busy schedule.
“You can try to stop her, but you won’t be able to keep up!”
At Whizz-Kidz, the wheelchair is just the start.
In your community disabled children and young people are meeting and making friends at one of the charity's local clubs, as well as learning to use their new wheelchairs safely and confidently, through Wheelchair Skills Training sessions – all free of charge.
Whizz-Kidz's new Parents Network also offers peer to peer support and advice to parents and families of young wheelchair users – and includes a co-branded online forum with Mumsnet.
Find out more at www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/get-our-help/parents-network.
The charity estimates that in the UK today there are 70,000 disabled children, like Emma, that lack the equipment and opportunities they need to live life to the full.
Whizz-Kidz aims to reach as many of them as they can with the right mobility equipment and skills to build their self-esteem and aspirations.
Find out more about Whizz-Kidz, including volunteering and fundraising opportunities at www.whizz-kidz.org.uk.
