Disabled bowls lift at New Earswick (From York Press)

Disabled bowls lift at New Earswick

9:48am Thursday 4th December 2008 in Search

BOWLS for the disabled in York has been given a major boost.

New Earswick Indoor Bowls Club now has three new specialist wheelchairs for disabled players after receiving a grant from the Lottery-backed Awards For All scheme.

The club now boasts four chairs, enabling them to meet the demand for use of their greens.

Chairman Ray Blogg said: “Over the past year, we have been working with a number of disability groups to increase the usage of our facilities and broaden our offerings.

“Before the award our bowlers had to pre-book the only wheelchair, which limited their opportunities to bowl, and we could not offer satisfactory facilities to disabled groups.

“The wheelchairs will also provide additional support to our more infirm bowlers and hopefully extend their bowling years.”

He added: “We also introduced boccia facilities during the summer months and we can now provide year-round training for First York Boccia Club, to hopefully help them increase their numbers.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Brian Watson attended a reception when the “buggies” were presented to the club and congratulated New Earswick for providing additional facilities for the disabled.

Any disabled groups wanting further information should phone manager Andy Webster at the club on 01904 750230.