A West Midlands multi-sport store is teaming up with Fisher House and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.
Helix Sport, based in Dorridge Solihull has chosen the charity as its’ official charity partner and will support it through fundraising and events as well as providing expert advice on equipment, nutrition and training to anyone working with the the charity through their own personal challenge events.
Helix Sport opened last summer. Their goal is to become a hub in the community, supporting regional sports teams, businesses and families and getting them engaged in sport.They specialise in running, cycling and swimming providing al the kit, services, supplies, inspiration and advice in a positive, lively welcoming store.
Helix Sport will be supporting Fisher House which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity. Fisher House is an 18 bedroom residential facility that allows families to visit and stay close to loved ones being treated at the hospital which is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, where all the UK’s military personnel are treated.
Helix Sport co-owner Tony Wright recently visited Fisher House to hear about its work and then invited Fisher House Patient Advocate Dave Watson to the store to discuss a partnership.
Tony said: “I’m a big supporter of our servicemen and women and the debt we all owe them for keeping us safe and putting themselves on the line for us. When I heard about Fisher House and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity I had to get involved. Not only do we want to encourage fundraising through the store we also want to support those wanting to take on fundraising challenges for the Charity through discounts and offers.”
Patient Advocate for Fisher House, Dave Watson, knows only too well the importance that sport can play, especially in recovery and after injury.
Joining the Army in 2008, Dave served with the Scots Guards. It was during a tour of Afghanistan in 2010 that he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device), which resulted in the loss of his right arm and both legs. This life-changing incident led to major surgery at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham followed by grueling rehabilitation.
One of the things that kept Dave going through all this was his positive ‘can do’ nature and his love of sport. When the idea of Paralympic sports was presented to Dave he didn’t need too much persuasion to give it a go and was soon back in the sports arena with his competitive juices flowing again.
The talented former footballer is now a keen athlete. 2017 saw Dave return from the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada with 2 medals, gold in the IF6 discus and bronze in the shotput. Dave is hoping to be selected for the Invictus Games again this year which take place in Australia and is also training hard to be considered for the next Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.
Tony commented “We are really looking forward to supporting Fisher House and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity, driving sport further across the community.”
