Grant Recipients

Meet some of the people who have received a Bader Grant…We hope that they will inspire you to apply for support to achieve your own dreams.

Name: Oliver Vaughan-Jones
Disability: Repercussions from Neurological Disease
Date awarded: February 2023
Type of award: Bader Grant
Awarded for: To support Oliver to compete in some of the Adaptive World Tour Events and return to the ISA World Championships in December.

Name: Hannah Dines
Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Date awarded: January 2023
Type of award: Douglas Bader Grant
Awarded for: Help with travel with support team of 2 to the USA to take part in the Para-Surfing World Championships
Background:
Hannah Dines received a Bader Grant towards travel costs for her and 2 support staff to compete in the Surfing World Championships in the USA

Name: Emma Stevens
Disability: Multiple Sclerosis
Date awarded: December 2019
Type of award: Douglas Bader Grant
Awarded for: Emma's grant was to assist her with purchasing adaptive equipment and support costs after starting to compete as a para dressage rider

Name: Rob Franks
Disability: Amputee
Date awarded: February 2020
Awarded for: Rob's grant is awarded for essential sports equipment which will enable him to compete in Wheelchair Boxing
Background:
Rob is an amputee who recently took up Wheelchair Boxing. He now wants to raise the profile of this relatively unknown sport and attract others to participate.

Name: Simon Heaps
Disability: Amputee
Date awarded: January 2020
Awarded for: Financial assistance to compete In World Games
Background:
Simon Heaps hopes to become the World Champion in Wheelchair Table Tennis. He is closer to that dream thanks to a Bader Grant.

Name: Mari Akhurst
Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Date awarded: February 2017
Awarded for: Mari’s grant helps to support her with regular strength and conditioning sessions which will aid her development as an elite athlete.
Background:
Mari Akhurst, is a hugely promising Grade 1 Para Dressage Rider, whose ambition is to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Mari has cerebral palsy that affects all four limbs and has left her weaker down her left side. As a result of her CP, her co-ordination, balance and muscle tone are all affected. She currently competes in Para Dressage at National and International level.

Name: Richard Neumann
Disability: Spinal injury
Date awarded: April 2019
Type of award: Douglas Bader Grant
Awarded for: To support Richard to regain fitness through riding following spinal injury
Background:
Following a serious injury playing rugby, Richard ended up in a wheelchair, advised he’d never walk again. He confounded the prognosis and having taken his first steps, discovered the benefits of horseriding for physical, mental and emotional health. He has found that he has a real aptitude for the sport and now he, with his beautiful horse Otto, intends to compete internationally and represent his country.

Name: Thomas Talbot
Disability: Cerebal Palsy
Date awarded: May 2018
Awarded for: Financial assistance to compete In sport
Background:
Thomas, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, has shown tremendous courage and determination in pursuing his dream to get to the top of his chosen sport of RaceRunning.