Newry boccia charity Brain Injury Foundation wins Flutter ‘Cash4Clubs’ to fund sports to help sufferers combat loneliness
Newry-based charity Brain Injury Foundation has become one of the latest clubs to win a share of £400,000 in community sports funding from the Cash4Clubs charitable initiative allowing them to continue their local boccia club.
The Brain Injury Foundation, which helps around 70 people in the area with head injuries, will use the “vital” funding to keep its sports clubs running – and allow it to keep putting on sporting competitions for members.
Boccia, which is similar to bowls and petanque, is specifically designed for those suffering with motor conditions and has been a regular sport featured at the Paralympics since 1984.
Flutter UKI funds Cash4Clubs and has selected 200 winners from across the UK and Ireland as recipients of £2,000 worth of funding each to help drive participation in sports and wellbeing, improve facilities and run coaching programmes
Since the Cash4Clubs initiative was launched in 2008, nearly £6.5 million has been invested into community sports by Flutter UKI through its brands, which include Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, PokerStars and tombola.
Organisers at the Brain Injury Foundation (BIF) have described the grant as a “massive help” and support to the members who rely on the sports competitions for social interaction.
Chairman Frank Dolaghan, who set up the foundation 13 years ago after his son suffered a head injury from a fall, said: "Survivors of a brain injury face many serious challenges – everything from memory issues, fatigue and concentration difficulties. Yet one of the biggest impacts can be the resulting social isolation. Our weekly boccia and pool groups, where participants can play a great sport, interact with one another and feel part of something, helps them immensely.
“This Flutter Cash4Clubs funding is a massive help and its impact will be a huge boost for our group. The grant will allow us to continue building up their self-esteem, confidence and giving them a reason to get up in the morning. It’s a real boost for us.”
All of the group’s members are between the ages of 20 and 70.
The weekly pool and boccia practices, which focus on skill development, coordination, and team-building take place at BIF’s centre in Camlough.
Welcoming the funding, Kevin Harrington, Chief Executive of Flutter UKI, said: “The Cash4Clubs initiative is a key part of our group’s global commitment to improve the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030 as part of our Positive Impact Plan. Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and Ireland, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help these smaller organisations continue to make a big difference to people’s lives.
“Last year we doubled our funding from £200,000 to £400,000 after receiving so many applications. The number of clubs needing financial assistance continues to grow, which indicates the real value these grants have for local grassroots organisations, many of which are existing on a shoestring.”
Sported’s head of marketing Mark Woods said: "More than 700 clubs from across the UK and Ireland, spanning a massive variety of sports, submitted applications for the scheme and our priority was to support recipients delivering real impacts into their communities. So many of these groups are addressing barriers to participation to ensure that no-one is excluded from sport and physical activity due to financial, societal or physical challenges.
“But we know every penny is precious in what they do. The funds provided through Cash4Clubs underline the huge impact which even a modest grant can have on these organisations, and it will make a difference to the people they serve."
Applications for next year’s round of grant funding will open later this year. For more information please visit https://cash-4-clubs.com/