WHILE most of us look on in utter bewilderment as one of the most affluent countries in the world cease to support those less fortunate, it is heartening to know that in the world of sport, there are still plenty of organisations out there, working under the banner of Sport for Change’ who are creating opportunities and working hard to deliver programmes using sport as the ‘hook’, knowing that it will help improve the lives of many people. Sported, Winning Scotland Foundation, Street Soccer, Scottish Sports Futures, to name but a few, all play their part in some way, as they work within our communities in Scotland.
I feel really privileged to be a Director of Scottish Sports Futures and see at first-hand the good work they carry out. They have six different strands under the overarching banner of SSF, which include, ‘Jump to it’ using Basketball to connect with young people, ‘MEND’ (mind, exercise, nutrition, do it) which is one of the UK’s most innovative and effective obesity prevention and treatment programmes, helping children and families manage their weight better and lead healthier lives. ‘Active East’ is another programme which focuses on the East End of Glasgow and recruits ‘Active Champions’; young volunteers aged between 14 and 25, who complete an individualised programme of awards and training in sport, physical activity and volunteering and with the intention that they then give back to their community by putting these skills in to practice.
Now there is a new kid on the block entering the field of Sport for Change, the Scottish Amputee Football Association, and they have plans to make a difference to the huge number of Scottish amputees who want to participate in football. I had the pleasure of having a cuppa and a chat with Ashley who is the founder and the driving force behind this extremely worthwhile project and heard about her ambition to make this organisation a big success. She is aiming high and after meeting her, I have no doubt that she will succeed. Whilst on many occasions, it is a well-heeled philanthropist, who wants to see their hard earned cash making a difference, Ashley can’t claim to have that benefit at all. She is starting from scratch, with no finance available, a sentiment I can definitely sympathise with.
However what she does have is first-hand knowledge of the devastation that illness can bring to families as her second child, Monty, contracted bacterial meningitis at 10 weeks old and spent several days on life support. Monty is now fully recovered and fighting fit but this sparked her interest to work in an area where she felt could help others not so fortunate. Ashley became Comms Director for the amputee charity Finding Your Feet, (founded by Corrinne Hutton who had both her hands and feet amputated after a severe illness in 2013), and found that there was a demand for amputee football in Scotland. People were traveling more than 150miles to train with amputee football teams south of the Border, where the sport has been established for more than 20 years and have eight teams thriving in the England Amputee Football Association League.
Her intention is to run roadshows, hosting ‘come and try’ days at many at SPFL clubs across Scotland, to raise awareness of the sport and engage with the local community. They we will also look to host summer camps for younger players incorporating other sports in addition to football. Spreading her wings on this project, she has plans to attend the European Amputee Football Federation Annual Congress in Dublin, as this will provide her with an opportunity to meet and hear from all the other nations who support amputee football.
We should be thankful that our wee country have a great tendency to want to help those less fortunate, whether it be through sport on not. Whilst confusion reigns elsewhere, Sport for Change in Scotland has a clear agenda and no barriers.
So this is a shout out to all philanthropists, I can put you in touch with plenty of organisations that can use your help to make a difference, invest in ‘Sport for Change’ and make the change happen, together.
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