Curry-loving sports fans raise £6,000 for specialist bike

21st December 2015
Seashell Trust's Dominic Tinner receiving cheque from Ian Hall, co-chair of NORFOX, Charlie Womersley of the Sportsman's Curry Club, and Stewart Grant, co-chair of NORFOX

Our students will be getting a £6,000 bike for Christmas – thanks to curry-loving sports fans.

The Sportsman’s Curry Club, through its partnership with the property and construction sector charity charity NORFOX, has raised the £6,000 for Seashell Trust.

The social lunch club hosts city centre fundraising events, with cricketer Matthew Hoggard MBE as its most recent guest speaker.

The money raised by the SCC and Norfox will purchase a specialist Draisin Plus bicycle for our students.

It is a charity which provides a creative, happy and secure environment for children and adults with complex and severe physical and learning disabilities, which includes little or no language abilities.

The Draisin Plus is a highly technical tricycle that makes steering and pedalling as easy as possible, with a wheelchair unit which can be connected to it.

Dominic Tinner, head of fundraising at Seashell Trust, said: “The Draisin is so important because many of our students find it hard to get around independently. With this type of bicycle, they can travel around more easily and improve their balance and co-ordination.

“Many of the young people the Seashell Trust are on a great deal of medication so regular exercise is critical to help their bodies deal with the effects. Cycling promotes a sense of independence and freedom they rarely get to enjoy.

Ian Hall, co-chairman of NORFOX, said: “We have been adding our practical and financial support to this year's Sportsman's Curry Club lunches to fund the special bike for the children at Seashell Trust, a charity we have supported over the years. To have achieved this level of fundraising between us is fantastic. NORFOX this year has given its support to Seashell and five other charities helping children and young people in the North West through the efforts of just eight individuals and a loyal core of supporters.”

Charlie Womersley, owner of the Sportman's Curry Club, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support such a wonderful project. The Seashell Trust does fantastic work for so many young people at all levels of disadvantage. Keep up the good work.”

Dominic Tinner added: “We are delighted this year's partnership between NORFOX and The SCC has resulted in a fantastic Christmas present for Seashell Trust. Our students can't wait to get pedalling.”