Annual Report & Accounts 2008-9
Income £1,403,021
Expenditure £1,082,154
President and Chairman's Message
The tremendous support from sponsors, donors and volunteers has made it possible for WheelPower to provide sporting opportunities so that many disabled children and adults could participate in recreational and competitive sport.
Following on from the success of the Paralympic Games in Beijing, WheelPower continued its mission to transform lives through wheelchair sport by organising a range of interventions aimed at increasing and sustaining participation and supporting those who wish to excel in their chosen sport.
Our focus has been to give young and newly disabled people the chance to enjoy the huge benefits of taking part in sport and in partnership with our own sports associations and other agencies this was achieved.
We are deeply indebted to:
- Our Royal Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales for his continued support of our work
- Our Honorary Officers – Mike Humby, Hon Treasurer, who retired during the year, Tim Calloway, Hon Legal Adviser and Hans Frankel, Hon Medical Adviser for their sound advice and support.
- The Wheel Appeal Committee under the Chairmanship of Robin Courage, The London Committee and the Junior Committee for the huge contribution that they make in raising very significant funds in particular at the Arty Party held in November 2008.
- Charitable trusts, companies, groups and individuals who have generously supported our ongoing activities.
- Sport England for their Community Investment Fund grant which will help WheelPower develop grass roots sport.
- Our bankers, Aylesbury Corporate Office of NatWest, insurance brokers HIGOS and Auditors, Target Winters for their ongoing advice and support.
- Jean Stone, Chairman of our Sports Federation and Sports Management Committee who continues to oversee the sports programme in a voluntary capacity.
- The members of Executive Council and sub-committees who together with WheelPower and Stoke Mandeville Stadium staff and innumerable volunteers combine to make a difference to the lives of disabled athletes.
The British Wheelchair Sports Awards held annually to celebrate achievement within wheelchair sport took place at Five Lakes, Tolleshunt, D’arcy, Essex in November. Individual winners were Beijing gold medal winning shooter, Matt Skelhon and Danielle Brown who won a gold medal in Archery. The Service to Sport Award was presented to Lynn Parker, Tennis and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Deanna Coates, Shooting. A Special Award was presented to The Hon Mark Vestey, President of WheelPower for his contribution over many years.
We were delighted to launch the Stoke Mandeville Institute of Sport and Education with partners, Bucks New University, Bucks Sport and Leisure Connection to provide educational opportunities in disability sport and for people with disabilities.
Raising funds has been a challenge, particularly in the current economic climate, however during the year we were able to secure funds to fully repay our loan outstanding from the redevelopment of Stoke Mandeville Stadium. This is a major milestone for the charity and will enable us to move forward and fully concentrate on the delivery of world class sporting opportunities and facilities and increase participation.
London 2012
WheelPower continues to play its role in the lead up to the Games in London in 2012 and recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Pparalympic Games held at Stoke Mandeville in 1984 by hosting a reception for the ’84 GB Team during the European Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Championships.
Stoke Mandeville Stadium is already being used as a venue for training and events and a number of teams have visited to view the facilities as a possible Pre Games Training Camp location in their build up to London 2012.
Looking to the future
WheelPower’s Executive Council appointed Chris Wells as joint Chief Executive to work alongside Martin McElhatton. Chris Wells has a wide range of corporate experience and will focus on generating funds from the corporate sector and leading WheelPower’s fundraising to new heights.
A Strategic Review is under way with five key focus areas:
- Participation and Partnerships
- Role, Structure and Defining the Brand
- Stoke Mandeville
- Raising the Funds – including Core Finance
- Making the most of 2012
The review will provide WheelPower with an agreed “road map” for the future to ensure that the organization delivers its agreed core objectives and continues to provide people with disabilities with opportunities to transform their lives through sport.
Downloads
British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited Directors' Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2009