September 2008 - NORTHGATE GIVES TRANSPORT BOOST TO DISABLED SPORTS STARS
Britain's next generation of Paralympic Games sports stars have been given a boost with the donation of a vehicle by Northgate Vehicle Hire, the country's largest rental company.
The Percy Hedley Sports Academy is part of the Newscastle-based Percy Hedley Foundation and aims to ensure all people have the opportunity to access sport regardless of their level of disability, health or age.
While the Academy has purpose built facilities in Killingworth that are used not only by many local disabled groups but also for regional and national events, it needs vehicles to transport specially developed electric wheelchairs used by those playing team sports at other venues.
Now, Darlington-based Northgate Vehicle Hire, which operates a nationwide fleet of 68,500 vehicles from more than 80 locations, has donated a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to transport the wheelchairs to events.
Des Bustard, director of fundraising at the Percy Hedley Foundation, said: "We are very grateful to Northgate for making it possible for young disabled people to participate in regional and national competitions. The van now means we can transport the specialist electronic chairs around safely. With Northgate's help we are giving these young people a sporting chance."
Phil Moorhouse, managing director of Northgate Vehicle Hire, handed over the vehicle to Mr Bustard as the 13th Paralympic Games in Beijing came to a close.
Mr Moorhouse said: "As a successful business with its roots firmly in the North East we are delighted to support the locally-based Percy Hedley Sports Academy. Anyone who has seen media coverage of the recent Paralympic Games cannot fail to have been impressed by the skill, determination and courage of the competitors.
"By providing a support vehicle we hope that it will be easier for the talented disabled people at the Academy to compete at more sports events at all levels. Maybe some of those youngsters will be representing Great Britain at the 14th Paralympic Games in London in 2012."
Northgate is also supporting the Percy Hedley Foundation at the Percy Hedley Mistletoe Ball being held at the Newcastle-Gateshead Hilton Hotel on Saturday, November 29.
The Percy Hedley Foundation was established in 1953. The Foundation now meets the needs of disabled people with cerebral palsy, communication impairments, sensory impairments and complex learning, social care and therapeutic needs. The Percy Hedley Academy for disability sports was opened by HRH, the Pricess Royal, in October 2005. During any given year the Foundation directly helps 1,000 disabled children and adults and their families from throughout the North East of England and beyond.
