 | BACK-UP TRUST |
The Back-Up Trust is a registered charity and its aim is to encourage
individuals paralysed with spinal cord injuries to become re-integrated into
the community and regain motivation inspiration and independence through
sporting activities. An average of 800+ people a year suffer a spinal cord injury by breaking
their backs or necks. It can happen to anyone at any time but it usually occurs
with the young and active and the injuries are commonly sustained through road
traffic accidents and sporting pursuits. These accidents can happen at any time
and there is no cure. By facilitating sports that are challenging, outdoor and demanding, Back-Up
offers a challenge to people who feel their active sporting days are over.
Skiing, riding, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing, abseiling, gliding and
orienteering are some of the activities that Back-up has on its agenda. Once
someone has sailed across a lake single-handed or skied down a slope then to
get a job, to ski with friends or to live independently may not seem quite so
daunting. As all our courses are fully integrated with equal numbers of people with
spinal cord injuries and able-bodied "buddies", Back-Up also needs
people who are prepared to give up their time and resources. Major private
sector companies find that the self-development aspects of courses attended by
some of their employees as buddies are of tremendous benefit, particularly as
Back-Up's policy of total integration increases understanding for all
concerned. Last year over 200 wheelchair users took part in our courses and two bronze
medallists in the 1994 Paralympics in Lillehammer had initially learned to ski
with Back-up. There is close liaison with the eleven spinal units including
Stoke Mandeville.
The Back-Up Trust
Room 103
The Business Village
Broomhill Road
London
SW18 4JQ  020-8875 1805
 020-8870 3619
 http://www.backup.org.uk
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