BARRY’S BAY – The Barry’s Bay Blades sledge hockey club has received a generous grant in partnership with the Killaloe Community Resource Centre.
Last week, the organizations received word that they would be receiving a 2019 Para Sport Jumpstart Fund grant from the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. The local groups were among 40 organizations across Canada that received money from the $800,000 pool.
The Para Sport Jumpstart Fund aims to remove barriers to sport and recreation for children and youth with disabilities, offering grants to community and sport organizations that provide accessible opportunities for play. Funding can go towards various elements of enhancing their Para sport offerings, such as equipment, staffing, recruitment, and additional programming.
A partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the Para Sport Jumpstart Fund was created in 2013 and has since distributed over $2.5 million in funding. Over 7,000 children and 90 organizations have benefitted from the fund.
Anita Jessup, who founded the local sledge hockey club in 2013, said the money is welcome news for the small group.
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