Fifteen volunteers from Stewarts attended WheelPower’s 2025 Junior & Inter Spinal Unit Games. This is the second year Stewarts has supported these two events, continuing our long-standing relationship with WheelPower, the UK’s national wheelchair sport charity based in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.

Alongside sports festivals and various sporting activities throughout the year, the WheelPower calendar features two key events: the first is the WheelPower National Junior Games, which took place in June, and the second is the Inter Spinal Unit Games, held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium from 15 to 19 September.

Junior Games

The Junior Games are an opportunity for children aged 11 to 18 with physical disabilities to discover sport in a safe and welcoming environment. Over three days, the children get to try out a variety of sports. It is clear to see how much they enjoy the opportunity not only to get involved in sports but also to meet and socialise with other children with physical disabilities.

After the event this year, one of our volunteers said: “All in all, it was such a privilege being a part of the games, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. It’s truly amazing to see how events like this continue to open doors for young people and keep that legacy alive. I hope we keep pushing for progress, so even more young people get the chance to explore their potential and shine!”

Inter Spinal Unit Games

The Inter Spinal Unit Games bring together specialist spinal injury rehabilitation centres from all over the UK, allowing participants to partake in the various sports on offer. This year, 65 newly-injured participants competed in the games.

Participants were given the chance to navigate their injuries and newly found challenges in a variety of sports. With the assistance of expert coaches, some of whom coach Team GB, they were supported and coached every step of the way, giving them the confidence to tackle the sport independently.

It was three days packed with activities and sports, including badminton, table tennis, boccia, archery, powerlifting, golf and the Stewarts volunteers’ personal favourite, handcycling. Witnessing the absolute joy on the participants’ faces as they cycled around the track was a privilege to watch and captured the true essence of what the games are about. Participants were also treated to an accessible flight simulator, giving them the chance to test out their flying skills by landing at London City Airport.

With such fantastic sports on offer, the team spirit at the games was electric. The spinal rehabilitation units competed against each other for coveted awards to be handed out at the awards ceremony on the final night. Some of the competitions came down to a nail-biting finish and had participants, support staff and volunteers alike cheering the contestants on.

Stewarts’ Charles Edwards, Clare Salmon, Victoria Williams and Amy Heath were privileged to attend the closing and awards ceremony, where Martin McElhatton OBE, WheelPower’s CEO, interviewed Bret Crossley, WheelPower’s Physical Activity Advisor at Pinderfields, about his experience, how valuable sport is in rehabilitation and how WheelPower can help those with a spinal injury.

Stewarts put on a raffle, with funds raised going straight back to supporting WheelPower, and the winner, a participant from Pinderfields, picked up a new Fitbit. The awards were then handed out, with Stanmore winning the Inter Spinal Unit Games trophy for the second successive year. Well done to Team Stanmore!

To conclude the evening, Martin told the participants that these games were just the start of their journey, and he hoped they had made lasting memories, formed new friendships and developed a passion to continue with sport.