Member Article

Baroness Tanni praises Nicholson's gold rush

PARALYMPIC legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has thanked a North East transport firm for backing a disability sports group’s gold rush campaign during the London games.

Teesside-based Nicholson’s Transport donated £10 for every gold medal won by Team GB during the 2012 Paralympics to the Durham Area Disability Leisure Group (DADLG).

Team GB won 34 golds at the Paralympics including four each for athlete David Weir and cyclist Sarah Storey meaning Nicholson’s Transport donated £340 to DADLG.

That figure was matched by some of Nicholson’s business contacts raising an impressive £1,400 for the group, which is based at Durham University’s Maiden Castle sports facility.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, who is patron of DADLG, said: “It’s an amazing gesture by Nicholson’s Transport and was a great way to raise funds for DADLG.

“It’s very tough for business at the moment so for companies to make a donation makes a huge difference – we are very grateful. Groups such as DADLG are providing opportunities for people that might not otherwise have the chance to get involved in sports such as rowing, climbing and rugby – that’s very important for their social lives and wellbeing.”

DADLG provides sports and leisure opportunities for up to 300 young people and their families with activities including quad biking, taekwondo, football, trampoline, cycling, sailing and climbing.Its members are young people aged between eight and 25, with physical, learning, sensory and multiple disabilities, who without the support of DADLG would find it difficult to access regular sports opportunities.

Nicholson’s Transport, based in Billingham, decided to launch its gold medal pledge after realising its own silver anniversary coincided with the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London, providing a genuine and fun opportunity to support to DADLG. They decked one of their trucks with a striking Union Jack and received support for their campaign from several North East businesses and individuals including Casper Shipping, Driver Hire Nationwide, Seaton Leisure, Exwold Technology, Carlton & Co, Publicity Seekers and packaging company RPS.

David Nicholson, managing director of Nicholson’s Transport, said: “We have been great admirers and supporters of DADLG for many years because they raise the hopes and aspirations of the young people they work with.

“It’s an amazing group and I am absolutely delighted that the Gold Rush campaign was able to raise valuable funds for the group which will help with events and activities in the coming months.

“The money raised will go a long way in helping young people realise their sporting ambitions and potentially become Paralympians themselves.”

Picture – Going for Gold – Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, with members of Durham Area Disability Leisure Group (DADLG) and David Nicholson, of Nicholson’s Transport.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melanie Taylor .