Our fundraising project has two aims: Firstly, to purchase a portable hoist to enable more children and adults the opportunity to access trampolining and gymnastics activities. Secondly to provide adequate changing facilities.

Purchase of a portable hoist - Without a portable hoist we can only offer certain activities safely in the gymnasium to participants who are mostly mobile, or if a parent or carer is willing to lift their child onto the trampolines or mats. This is heart breaking for the coaches at the club, as this impacts the wellbeing of our gymnasts and limits how much we can offer. For those individuals who are wheelchair bound, they often find that they are restricted. Here at the club we endeavour to give more opportunities to those individuals by allowing them access onto the trampolines and the gymnastics equipment aiding these individuals to live a healthy lifestyle, but this is only possible with the purchase of a hoist.

Changing facilities - Waveney Gymnastics Club premises have disabled facilities complying with the Employment Disability Law. This has been adequate over the last fifteen years since opening the purpose built gymnastics hall. However, as part of our continuing strategy to expand our services to broader sections of the community, we are looking to adapt and enhance our disabled facilities which will ensure those with more complex physical disabilities are catered for by purchasing a changing bed. Currently any gymnast who needs support with personal care, are being changed on a mat on the toilet floor which is degrading to those individuals. This is also difficult for the carer/parent to provide this care due to lack of space within the disabled toilet. By the joint purchase of a hoist and a changing bed, individuals would be able to be given personal care in a safe environment, without the constant manual handling support from their carer. Allowing individuals to have time, space and knowing that individuals are being offered suitable and amazing care.

The impact of purchasing a changing bed and portable hoist will have on our service users are members of the community will be huge making a difference to their everyday living. A portable hoist can be used to manoeuvre individuals onto changing bed and trampolines will ensure parent carers will not injure themselves when lifting or put the participant’s safety at risk.

As a Club we would be able offer more support to those individuals who are wheelchair bound, who often find that they have difficulties accessing activities. Here at the club we would love to give more opportunities to those individuals by allowing them access onto the trampolines and the gymnastics equipment aiding these individuals to live a healthy lifestyle, but this is only possible with the purchase of a hoist.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you are able to help support this fantastic cause, it would be greatly appreciated.

We would also like to wish Naomi Murray all the best in running the London Marathon on Sunday 28th April. Naomi has very kindly chosen Waveney Gymnastics Club as her Charity to raise money for the disabled Changing room. Good Luck Naomi!