Yeo Valley Lions helping local girl Beckie Whyte chase her sporting dream
Local Yatton girl Beckie Whyte, a Bristol Bears Wheelchair Rugby player, is undertaking a fundraising challenge in her self-propelled wheelchair to raise funds for her own rugbyspecific chair. Using the Strawberry Line in North Somerset, Beckie will attempt one mile per day for five consecutive days on the Strawberry Line’s gravel path from Yatton.
Having her own measured playing chair will allow Beckie to grow significantly within the sport, and not only develop her game skills but continue to grow her confidence and drive as a young disabled woman. With an entry level chair for the sport starting at approximately £3,000, there is a huge expectation on individuals who wish to progress in this life-changing sport. With £1000 towards the cost of the chair already committed by long-standing Bristol Bears Community Foundation partner, The Ciao Foundation, Beckie is out to raise the remainder of the cost.
The Yeo Valley Lions club heard about the challenge and wanted to help and support Beckie with her fundraising challenge. As a result, several of the Yeo Valley clubs Lions walked with Beckie as she completed the first of her walks today on the Strawberry line. On completion of the walk Lion President Brian Winter presented Beckie with a cheque for £500 towards her new chair and wished her all the best with her continued fundraising and her Bristol Bears career.
Beckie is 21 and has been a wheelchair user since the age of 17 when complex mental health difficulties led to a series of unfortunate events that left Beckie with significant life-long physical disabilities. Her story is both tragic and inspiring as she rebuilds her life and her passion for wheelchair rugby being a key element of that. As she says herself “Bristol Bears have given me many opportunities to gain new experience including playing alongside the under 19’s team where I hope I have helped them improve their skills and see a positive way forward like I have.
"I have set myself this challenge to raise additional costs for my own rugby wheelchair,” she said. “For the first time in my life I now forward to the future and to the new opportunities ahead." Further information about Beckie and her story can be found on the Bristol Bears Community website.
https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/beckie-s-story-mental-health-disability-the-power-of-sport/
https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/back-beckie-to-chase-her-sporting-dream/
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