Valiant, disabled and Cornish
25 March 2010
Football – it’s everyone’s game.
For a group of children with special needs and
disabilities, having the chance to play is a joy. Being part of a
team is a delight – and getting away on a tour is a dream.
This is exactly what has been possible for
Invicta Valiants, a football team for disabled and special needs
children – thanks to some help from the Kent Fund for
Children.
The team, which welcomes children and young
people aged from five to 18 years, needed £13,500 to take 38
players and their carers on a tour of Cornwall.
Caroline Fletcher and Angela Phipps were
behind the five-day adventure, which included a friendly and a
three-team tournament as well as a theme park visit.
Mrs Fletcher said:
“We decided to organise a tour to give these
young people an opportunity to experience a sports tour, something
taken for granted by all other young people participating in
mainstream sports. These young people are excluded from the
challenges of touring and meeting other teams because of their
disabilities. Most of the children are physically able with a
diagnosed special need of some kind, such as Aspergers of attention
deficit disorder.”
The trip helped many of the players get to
know each other better and to become a closer team. It also gave
parents and carers a chance to see the children and young people
helping each other and becoming more independent.
The Cornwall and Kent county football
associations have developed new links as a result of the tour,
while Invicta Valiants have enjoyed the experience of a
lifetime.
The Kent Fund for Children has been
set up under the Charities Aid Foundation and it is dedicated to
making young people’s dreams come true. The aim is to
support children and young people who have not had the same
opportunities that most children enjoy, because of personal or
social circumstances. It was set up by Kent County Council
Social Services in 1992 and funds are raised by Kent County Council
staff.
Peter Gilroy, Chief Executive of Kent County
Council said:
“The Kent Fund for Children has a simple aim:
to make life better for children and young people wherever it
can. Even a relatively small amount of money can make a huge
difference to a young person’s life and I’m so proud that the fund
has been able to give out nearly £600,000 to Kent children since it
was launched.”
If you want to make a donation, or if you want
to find out more about the Kent Fund for Children
please contact Mike Ballard on 01622 694845.