Sport In Profile UK Issue 07 | Page 12

champions of charity FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/SPORT_IP The Percy Hedley T Foundation HE Percy Hedley Foundation has been providing services and support to disabled people and their families in the North East for over 60 years. What started out as a school for 12 children with cerebral palsy in 1953 has grown into a charity that supports over 1,000 families each year through a wide range of services. Our mission statement is quite simply, “Achievement for All” and that applies to every aspect of life. As well as two schools, a college, four day centres and six residential facilities we run a successful Sports Academy and Employability Project. The Percy Hedley Sports Academy is based in Killingworth, North Tyneside, and encourages disabled children and adults to be as active as possible. The academy delivers and supports a wide range of sporting activities across the North East from grassroots and competitive clubs including Wheelchair Basketball, Powerchair Football, Boccia and Martial Arts. Our sports academy is also home to Newcastle Eagles Wheelchair Basketball Club and Powerchair Football Club, Northern Thunder, who retained their national title last month. Percy Hedley also boasts some international stars. Gareth Golightly won gold representing the British Armed Forces in Wheelchair Basketball at the Invictus Games last year, while Ed Common is hopeful of represe