Media advisory
What: Members of the media are invited to watch some very special children with physical disabilities receive new sports wheelchairs this Saturday at a Let’s Play Day put on by BC Wheelchair Basketball Society and Variety – The Children’s Charity. The specialized wheelchairs are just a few of the 35 wheelchairs purchased by the Let’s Play program thanks to a $75,000 grant from Variety. Children with physical disabilities will have the opportunity to play in the new wheelchairs with their family and friends, and Variety’s staff members will gain awareness of wheelchair sports by trying wheelchair basketball.
- Marni Abbott-Peter, multiple Paralympic gold medalist and Let’s Play Director,
- Ruby Ng, Director, Community Engagement, Variety - The Children’s Charity
- Children aged 3 - 10 with physical disabilities and their families
When: January 9th from 2 – 4 pm.
Where: Douglas College New Westminster Campus, gym.
700 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5
Why: In January, many people focus on fitness as part of a New Year’s resolution and will be inspired by young children with physical disabilities who are gaining confidence, independence and strength through play. With the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games approaching, this event also provides an opportunity to meet the next generation of Paralympians and see how unique programs in B.C. and partners such as Variety - The Children’s Charity are giving children with disabilities a healthy start.
How: For more information please contact:
Arley Cruthers
Communications & Marketing Manager, BC Wheelchair Basketball Society
Cell: 778-788-9091
Email: arley@bcwheelchairsports.com
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About the Let’s Play Program: The goal of the Let’s Play program is to ignite a passion for play in children with mobility-related physical disabilities and give them the confidence and support they need to be active and dream big. Working in collaboration with community partners, we identify appropriate children in British Columbia and provide them with the resources they need to become physically active, including a Let's Play sports wheelchair. From offering fun Let's Play Days where kids can just be kids to working with schools to integrate a child into his or her physical education class, we help to give each child an active, healthy start and build a strong foundation of physical literacy skills that will last a lifetime. The Let’s Play program is administer by BC Wheelchair Basketball Society and helmed by multiple Paralympic medalist Marni Abbott-Peter.
About Variety - The Children’s Charity
Variety steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children in B.C. with special needs. For 50 years Variety has been there for families, ensuring children have support to reach their unique potential. Since 2010 Variety has distributed more than $9 million in funding to families in B.C.
For more information on how you can support Variety - The Children’s Charity, visit variety.bc.ca or call 604.320.0505.
