A fundraiser to provide a new wheelchair for a West Cumbrian who is competing in the world’s first professional wheelchair basketball league has passed £4,000.
Emily, 16, of Dearham, got the shock of her life when she was scouted to join East London Phoenix – one of four teams that will make up the inaugural British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League.
The competition is the first of its kind across the globe and will see Emily rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s greatest players, including her idol Amy Conroy, a two-time Paralympian, who has also signed for Phoenix.
Emily, who suffers from hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), which causes weakness on the left side of her body, impressed the Phoenix management while playing for Wakefield Whirlwinds in the Women’s League.
She was offered the chance to play for the newly-formed East London Phoenix side, the University of East London’s first-ever sports team franchise.
But to help her make the jump to professional sport, Emily is raising money for a new wheelchair which costs £6,500. The new chair will be more tailored to her needs and much lighter, making travelling to games in London much easier.
The appeal has already raised more than £4,100.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated so far helping Emily’s gofundme page. Emily and us are overwhelmed by people’s generous donations, they are hugely appreciated,” said Emily’s mum Rebecca.
“As we are nearing the total and have had some generous donations also from charities and businesses, we are grateful for any further donations to help with the maintenance of her new sports chair and day chair which is expensive to do.
“If a wheel breaks it can be in excess of £500 to fix. It can also contribute to travel to training as clubs are based the full length of the country. All these contributions help towards Emily’s wheelchair basketball career.”
Emily made her debut on Friday for East London Phoenix, scoring two baskets in a 60 to 36 win against Cardiff Met Archers.
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