November 2014

The Tees Valley Wheelchair Sports Club (TVWSC) came into existence in September 2012 with the aim of providing wheelchair sports training and facilities for young and disabled people, and to raise disability awareness throughout the Tees Valley area. During the two years of the club’s existence membership has grown to over 50, with ages starting at 6 and going through to adulthood.

The club is currently raising funds for the purchase of some special sport wheelchairs needed to participate in games such as basketball, rugby, tennis and athletics. These chairs can cost anything between £1500 and £3500 each, and are, therefore, beyond the means of many disabled people and their families.

Harte Lodge in Hartlepool was asked by the club earlier this year if there was any way in which they could help, and the lodge members immediately agreed to donate £200 from their charity fund to go towards the TVWSC appeal. Harte Lodge then approached the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association with a request for some additional funding and the Association agreed to donate a further £200 to this worthy cause.

At the end of September, Bro. John Bartram, a member of Harte Lodge and trustee of the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association visited the sports club, where he met members of the under 15’s group during a training session, and where he presented Lee Fawcett, chair of TVWSC, with a cheque for £400 to aid their appeal. Lee expressed thanks on behalf of the club, and the members of the under 15’s group gave three hearty cheers for Hartlepool Freemasons.

Pictured receiving the cheque from John Bartram is Lee Fawcett, Chairman of TVWSC, together with Club Secretary Alison Barnes (back row centre) and members of the under 15’s group.

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