With 2019 coming to a close, and the time of reflection upon us, we’d like to reflect on what certainly should be labelled Defiant’s year! This year we have…
Started 5 new groups –
Football for Adults with Learning Disabilities
Football for SEND Children, Friends and Siblings
SASSY Holiday Group
Boccia @ Crankbrook
Defiant Youth Club
Began the Unified Eastbourne Tennis League – where one able-bodied and one disabled player compete in doubles against other teams.
Had the lovely Samuel join #TeamDefiant
Started working with the wonderful Rotary Club of Sovereign Harbour, who have helped us out massively already from volunteering at events such as the Win a Car Raffle, to collecting at Morrisons for us, and putting on various fundraising event.
Gained great relations with Vee and The Beacon in general, most recently doing some fundraising by wrapping Christmas presents for donations. We’ve also worked on some amazing community relations with Embrace, Wyntercon, Eastbourne Blind Society and Mencap to name a few. Working with community groups and local charities is key to the success of small groups like ours, and we hope to gain many more in the year to come!
Raised over £15,000 through donations, fundraising and our Aviva Community Crowdfunder – thank you!
And of course, we got our very first venue! Though this is definitely the most exciting thing to happen at Defiant this year, we are over the moon at all that we have achieved; none of which could’ve happened without your help! A special thanks to Asda and Athena for our yummy snacks at the Inclusion Hub information day, and to Taylor Rylatt & Sons, Aid Harrison, and Nigel Smith for their invaluable help in leading the renovation of the Inclusion Hub!
With 2020 just a day away, we’re thrilled for all the exciting things this year will bring. We hope to get the venue up and running before the end of winter, and see all your lovely faces again at our sessions. Loretta is constantly looking for new ideas and sessions to run, with a book for wheelchair fencing turning up just yesterday!
As always, we’d love to hear any suggestions and want to know what it is that you’d love to see us doing – whether that be an active session, something sensory, a tea and talk, etc. You name it, and Defiant Sports will always give it a go to make everyone feel included!
That’s all for now…
Have a Happy New Year, and as always, stay Defiant!
#TeamDefiant