Rebel Wheelers is putting the final preparations in place for its annual fundraising day this Sunday, December 1st at Neptune Stadium.
The community organisation for physically disabled athletes will host around 20 teams from Cork businesses as well as other community groups in on-court wheelchair sport battles.
Founded in 2008 by five families who were frustrated at the lack of opportunity for their children to get involved in sport, they set about taking matters into their own hands.
Now 11 years later, its membership is made up of more than 75 athletes, including adults and children. It provides people with a physical disability from the age of 5 through to adulthood the opportunity to participate in sport.
Saturday morning club introduces children to sport in a fun safe environment, and it fields teams in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby – reigning national champions in both – and it also has a hugely successful athletics group who are competing at national and international level.
Funds raised through the ‘Roll With Rebel Wheelers’ event will go towards equipment costs for Rebel Wheelers’ group of athletes. Its membership is made up of more than 75 athletes, including adults and children.
International Disability Day
The gala occasion comes ahead of International Disability Day on December 3rd, and as Rebel Wheelers voices concerns about funding and support for the organisation.
The group’s issued a particular SOS to Cork’s business and sporting community, to help take them to the next level.
Orla O’Brien from Rebel Wheelers says; “The organisation is 100% driven by parents and club, and we are very grateful for the support of the business community. We don’t receive any Government funding, and all of our funding comes from donations.
“The chairs used by the wheelchair athletes can cost at least €1,500, which means that getting kids onto the court can be prohibitively expensive without support like that we are getting on Sunday.”
Little Island-based business Sea Box Energy Group has stepped up as main sponsor for the Neptune Stadium event.
The Rebel Wheelers say they are still looking for corporate teams to sign up, even at this late stage.
For more information, or to take part in the event, companies can email rebelwheelers@gmail.com
