The vision is to hold a national games for those in the emergency services who have been injured and/or disabled. These will be held at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium and in order to do this we need to raise £25k to cover all costs for facilities, and additional cost that may arise. To cover all bases for the first one!
This in turn will promote Disability sport in the emergency services along with assisting existing clubs in the community build up on members! It will assist those who struggle with their mental health with a support network they may otherwise not have had. Working with charities too will build a wrap around service around those struggling.
History -
The founder Kerry Snuggs BEM was a serving Police officer and was injured on duty in 2012. Since then she was diagnosed with CPTSD and had to retire as the injury she sustained meant that she couldn't pass the fitness test. Kerry needed to use a wheelchair and crutches for over a year and due to chronic pain made excuses not to partake in sports. In 2022 she started Sitting down volleyball as a way of coping with PTSD. She has never looked back and since then has gone on to join the Hampshire Sitting Volleyball team. This idea is not a new concept. However, we feel strongly that there should be a games for emergency services as there are many that suffer with injuries from being on duty or with their mental health. This will give them focus and purpose and a new identity. This is something that you lose when you leave a job which is filled with teamwork and comradeship. You are out there on your own. This will give those suffering something to live for, to work for and to strive for! Please help by supporting this new and up and coming charity! It is set to bring change for those who really need it!
Why are we crowdfunding?
As per my above comments - this will have an outlay of costs for renting halls, equipment and hopefully to be able to support those in financial difficulty to reach the games each year. The money will go towards advertising, rental costs and merchandise to be able to fundraise for the charity. In the future we hope to bring some support services for those who partake in the games each year. More needs to be done to help those with their mental health and wellbeing.
[upload an image here]
Community impact
You could say that it is only beneficial to those partaking. However, there are benefits to the families and friends of those who partake in the event. They can see their loved one change. They can receive support from other families going through a similar situation to them. It may well save someone from the brink of suicide and really give them purpose.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!