Guidelines

What is the Wheel Appeal?

For most people, playing sport is a relatively simple thing to do.  You just need a pair of trainers, a tracksuit, and depending on what you want to do maybe a racquet and a ball.  Unfortunately it’s not always that easy for someone with a disability.

Before a disabled person can even start thinking about which sport to play, where to play it or even what to wear, they need a suitable sports wheelchair.

WheelPower, the national organisation for Wheelchair Sport, launched the Wheel Appeal to provide new sports wheelchairs, training and coaching that will enable all disabled children and adults to participate in and enjoy competitive and recreational sport.

What you need to know
  • The Wheel Appeal will only fund manual sports wheelchairs, handcycles and ice hockey sledges
  • The Wheel Appeal will provide successful applicant with either a 'standard' manual sports wheelchair or a grant towards a bespoke sports wheelchair
  • The maximum value of any grant will be £1,500, but due to limited funding it will not always be possible to make the maximum award
  • All payments for wheelchairs will be made directly to the supplier
  • You can only apply to Wheel Appeal once in a two year period
  • We do not use a means test to decide if we will provide equipment but prioritise applications in terms of need
  • You will know within four weeks of our Committee meeting if your application is successful
  • If successful you will be contacted by a representative of the Wheel Appeal to organise provision of your equipment
  • Any award must be taken up within a 12 month period or it may be withdrawn
  • We may ask successful applicants to contribute £250 towards the cost of the chair (this can be a personal contribution or through your own fundraising)
  • 'Standard' sports wheelchairs will only be supplied through our partners Invacare, RGK and EPC Wheelchairs.  If these suppliers are unable to meet your needs then the Wheel Appeal will consider requests for equipment from alternative manufacturers.
Working in Partnership

We rely on the generous support of the general public, companies, charitable trusts and local groups to fund the Wheel Appeal. We also work in partnership with our Wheelchair Sport Associations, sports clubs, schools and spinal units to identify people requiring a sports wheelchair.

Training

Successful applicants will receive invitations to a wide range of training events at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

Please read all of the information provided before you fill in your application form. If you have any questions or you are having difficulty with the form please contact us, and we will be pleased to help you.