A disability sports club based in Sleaford has seen a boom in membership over the last few months.
Record numbers of new participants have attended sessions at the Laffletics Club after a post-Christmas surge in interest.
The group, which is run entirely by volunteers, was co-founded by Thelma Smith in 2004 with the aim of providing more accessible sporting opportunities for people with disabilities in Lincolnshire.
Thelma, who was paralysed in a road accident in 1990, was recognised for her contribution to the local community at the BBC Make A Difference Awards in September.
She believes the ensuing publicity has played a role in the club’s recent growth.
The 64-year-old said: “Being featured on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and Look North has really helped raise the profile of Laffletics. We’ve been delighted to welcome new members from all over the region with a range of physical and learning disabilities.”
She added: “I still remember those early days when there were only six or seven people at sessions, doubting whether this would ever take off and wondering what I’d got myself into. It’s quite surreal to think how far Laffletics has come since then.”
Laffletics is a multi-activity club offering weekly sessions tailored to all ages and abilities in a variety of team and individual sports. These include athletics, tennis, football, netball, hockey, rounders, cricket and many others.
Sue Robinson has volunteered at Laffletics for over ten years and believes the social aspect of the club is vital:
“The aim is to have fun whilst playing sport, which is a good way to improve fitness and make new friends. Some of the young people that come to us have been quite isolated and struggled to make friends at school. This club provides a wonderful outlet for them to express themselves.”
The Laffletics Club hold sessions every Saturday from 10.15am to 11.45am at Northgate Sports Hall in Sleaford.
For more information please visit their Facebook page.
