Charlie Allen, 12, is one of the first blind youngsters to benefit from RLSB’s Sports without Limits scheme. He has found sport a highly fulfilling and enjoyable way of making friends and boosting his confidence.
Until three years ago, Charlie didn’t take part in sports and his parents didn’t think that would change, but then they discovered our sports activity days.
Since then he has been thriving. His favourite moment has been beating his coach in blind tennis, while his parents say that their highlight has been witnessing Charlie’s growth in confidence and self-worth:
“Charlie’s been able to mix with people who share his disabilities and his abilities. He’s realised that he’s actually quite a good sportsman and his confidence has grown hugely!” his mum and dad tell us.
Benefitting from sports
They hope that the sports sessions have triggered a positive journey in life for Charlie.
“We would love to see Charlie become as independent as possible and realise his full potential. The support that he has already received has helped his confidence,” they say.
“He has thoroughly enjoyed his experience with RLSB’s sports programme. The staff are fantastic and very friendly; they ensure the kids have a great time and have made sure Charlie is very much aware of his abilities far more than his disabilities.”
Escaping a potential lifetime of loneliness and depression is one of the many benefits that sport can provide to visually impaired young people. RLSB is here to enable them to get the very best start on their sporting path, with access to the best programmes and inspirational coaches.
Over the next few years we want to increase the number of activity days and sporting programmes we run from 10 to 27. Our first goal is to raise £15,000 to pay for our activity weekends and sports programme for the rest of the year.
We hope to bring the sporting knowledge and coaching ability we have assembled to lots more youngsters like Charlie. To get the right coaching skills and expertise as well as the necessary equipment and venues takes time and money.
Who knows, in a few years you we may have helped a Paralympic star of the future discover their sporting skill!
Find out more about Sports without Limits.
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