Struggling sports group grateful for cash prize
A CARDIFF sports group for people with learning disabilities has been named the winner of a £3,000 prize.
Members of Cardiff Chameleons have been awarded a total of £3,760.16 after collecting thousands of tokens as part of a Cash for Communities initiative.
Following the promotion held between the South Wales Echo, the South Wales Evening Post and Western Power Distribution, a shortlist of 50 charities and groups from around South Wales were given the challenge of collecting as many tokens as possible.
The more tokens a group collected, the more money they received, with the charity who amassed the most tokens also receiving a first prize of £2,500.
Cardiff Chameleons will now use the prize money to carry out essential repairs to the group’s minibus as well as help members who cannot afford to attend events.
Founded in 1959, the group provides coaching and swimming and bowls facilities for people with learning disabilities.
Last year club members competed at the National Special Olympics Games in Sheffield, and in May hosted a Special Olympics regional bowls competition.
Bowls coach Margaret Krawiecka said: “It was very much a group effort with the help of other people who supported us.
“We’re so grateful for everyone that helped us. We were surprised, but pleasantly so.”
She added: “The club is totally selffinancing and is continuously striving to raise money to fund the ongoing club costs. The money from Cash for Communities will be gratefully received by the club because the club is currently struggling to maintain its much-needed and used minibus which transports members to competitions, as well as struggling to financially assist members who cannot afford to attend bowls or swimming events.”
Other groups to receive money from the Cash for Communities initiative include Cardiff Rivers Group, Nantgarw group All Star Gymnastics and martial arts club WOMAA.
Paul Bishop, corporate communications manager for Western Power Distribution, said: “We are delighted to have sponsored the Cash for Communities initiative and pleased that it has helped so many organisations. It’s amazing to think that more than 26,000 tokens were collected.
“We believe businesses like ours should play a full and active role in the communities they serve. For WPD, it’s a firm commitment and we are proud of our track record of help and assistance – and not just in a charitable sense, but by contributing in practical and realistic ways to help the development and economic prosperity of our communities.”