Inspirational Crusaders

MINISTER AND MP TO PAY VISIT TO DISABLED SECTION OF BOWLS CLUB

One of the fastest growing section and enthusiastic sections of Desborough Indoor Bowls club are the Crusaders who meet every week on a Friday. The Crusaders were set up in 2005 by Sue White with the assistance of Carol and Alan Coe to cater for the needs of people with disabilities. The Desborough Club, having been planned on one level ,is perfect to cope with the needs of people with limited mobility.

Nowadays out of a club of 340 bowlers there are around 26 Crusaders members. The club caters for the needs of people with missing or malfunctioning limbs and in wheelchairs but furthermore have blind and partially sighted members as well as people with arthritis, Parkinsons and also social disablilties like autism and dementia in a broad age range. In tribute to the efforts of the Crusaders the Minister for the Disabled People,Health and Work Tom Pursglove and the Kettering MP Philip Hollobone visited the club on Friday 24th November to meet the playing members, their carers and the club members who help to stage the sessions. The two MPs were tempted onto the bowls green in a head to head match to learn just how difficult the sport is and just how skilful the players are. Both had a go with bowling arms,an aid which the club uses to help bowlers who cannot stoop to deliver the woods. Being Honourable members the match ended in a score draw !!

Bowls,being a target sport is ideal for bowlers with disabilities as it requires limited athleticism. The club has its own powered wheelchairs and other aids that help people to play bowls to the best of their ability. “The club bowlers are in awe of the Crusaders” commented Club Chairman Geoff Crowther.” Most of us struggle to get anywhere near a jack set 25 metres away. These people achieve that with the minimum of fuss overcoming all obstacles in their way. They are in every way inspirational .”

Both MPs were mightily impressed by the skill and commitment of the members and also complimented the club on the convivial and supportive atmosphere that surrounded the session.