Money raised through The Health Lottery helps Lancashire Lions Visually Impaired Sports Club.
Lancashire Lions Visually Impaired Sports Club has been providing sporting and social opportunities for people who are either blind or partially sighted thanks to a £42,960 grant from People’s Health Trust using money raised through The Health Lottery in the North West. The club supports adults who are either blind or partially sighted, who live in and around the Blackley and Broughton areas such as North, Central and East Manchester.
Money raised through The Health Lottery in the North West has enabled the team to become a dominant force in the cricketing world. Since their launch in 2011 - where they spent just one season in the development league, they have been promoted with a 100%-win rate. A fifth-place finish in the national competition proves that they can challenge anyone. Thanks to money raised through The Health Lottery in the North West, the club is now able to offer other sports including goalball and organise social activities they can enjoy together. The group meets up for two hours, twice a week. They also organise longer social activities that take place at the weekend, once or twice each month.
The project has provided a strong sense of community for members, coaches and volunteers. Founder Sheraz Chohan says: “Many of our members have felt isolated at some stage, due to their disability or because of other personal circumstances and, over time, this can affect your confidence and self-esteem. It can make a massive difference to meet other people going through similar experiences.”
This support network has had life changing consequences for many of the members. Mr Chohan describes how members who previously did not have the confidence to ride public transport to events now feel empowered to study at college, to take coaching courses, and to support one another in all aspects of personal development. ‘The ethos of the project is helping each other.’
