The Shard family
North
West regional winner
The Shard family
From: Runcorn, Cheshire
Never say never to a member of the Shard family - it's not a word they understand. They're the driving force behind Valiant Sports Club, a sports club that provides activities for adults and children with disabilities: both physical and with learning difficulties.
The family set up the club in 2001, beginning with 18 members for one afternoon a week, and, through their efforts and determination, have seen it grow to an organisation with over 120 members, run over six days. They have trained athletes for the Special Olympics and taken them around the world to compete.
Not only do they run the club on a completely voluntary basis but, each year, they fundraise an average of £30,000, in order to cover the running costs of the club.
While Dad, Andy, is head coach, Julie - who had a tumour removed from her spine and is confined to a wheelchair - coaches four different sports, as well as being club secretary. Eldest son, Kemlyn, 19, has severe learning difficulties after being born over three months prematurely, yet is a proficient gymnast and qualified coach. His brother, Keegan, 17, is also a first-class gymnast and coach while Casey, who has learning disabilities, is proficient in a number of sports and, in 2007, competed in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Youngest child Keven, who has the condition Albinism, meaning his sight is impaired, has recently gained a junior sports leader award, which means he can help out at coaching sessions, even running some parts himself. Last but not least Michael, who Julie and Andy adopted when he was 11, is severely mentally disabled and has problems with speech, yet, with guidance, has passed a course to enable him to coach Boccia, a type of indoor bowls.
Says Julie, "Each one of us plays a part in the running of the club and we absolutely love it. Yes, it's been hard work but it's extremely rewarding. Of course Andy and I couldn't do it if it wasn't for our children. I think it's given us the strength to deal with the challenges life has put in our way."
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