Richard Whitehead Foundation Nissan Possibilities Project Beneficiaries Programme 2024 Launches
The Richard Whitehead Foundation have launched the recruitment for the Class of 2024 Beneficiaries Programme supported by the Nissan Possibilities Project.
After the success of the 2022 programme, the Richard Whitehead Foundation is delighted to announce that we are launching our recruitment for a new cohort that will once again support a small number of young adults (aged 18+) from England and Wales with leg limb loss, amputation, or limb difference to get active and fulfil their potential through running. This includes funding the provision of running prosthetics and fitting, mentoring support, advice, and other aspects that ensure barriers are overcome.
The programme is one of the flagship initiatives from the Richard Whitehead Foundation and is heavily supported by Nissan as part of their Possibilities Project, with their aim to support inclusivity within sport focusing on the LGBTQ+ and Disability communities.
The Foundations’ President and former Paralympic Champion, Richard Whitehead MBE, who actively supported our first cohort of beneficiaries, is passionate about continuing this project with a view to encouraging more disabled people to achieve their ambitions:
“We are excited to be working in partnership with Nissan GB and with the expertise and products of Ossur UK again. I have seen first-hand the positive impact that running
can have. The Foundation and Nissan are passionate about supporting more young disabled people to be active and achieve their running goals.”
Tayla Page, one of our first Nissan Possibilities Project beneficiaries, has in 12 months grown significantly in confidence and gone on to take on a coaching role with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. She has recently received positive recognition through the receipt of a Leadership Award from the Wolves Foundation;
“The Possibilities Project has helped change my life and there are no words to sum up how thankful I am.”
Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director at Nissan GB, said:
“In 2022 we embarked on the first project with the Richard Whitehead Foundation to provide Ossur running prosthetics to four young amputees. The impact the programme continues to have on the four individuals has been remarkable, and we are delighted to be working with the Richard Whitehead Foundation again to find new individuals who can benefit from this life changing technology and support through the Nissan Possibilities Project.”
The application process and further information on the Nissan Possibilities Project, Beneficiaries programme, which is open now, can be found on the Richard Whitehead Foundation website: https://www.whitehead.foundation/.
Further information and notes to editor
Deadline for applications is 5pm on 20th December 2023.
Please direct any enquiries through to: info@whitehead.foundation
In 2021, The Richard Whitehead Foundation Nissan Possibilities Project Beneficiaries programme supported 4 beneficiaries to become active through running prosthetics, advice, mentoring and opportunities.
The Nissan Possibilities Project beneficiaries programme isa partnership between Nissan, The Richard Whitehead Foundation and Össur UK
The Richard Whitehead Foundation was formed in 2021 with the vision of enabling disabled people’s ambitions through the power of sport. Sadly, Richard Whitehead had seen first-hand the unequal access disabled people were experiencing in sport and was listening to many of the views of people from the disability community who were being hit hard by COVID, financial disadvantage and multiple life barriers. This motivated him to form a charity with the mission of putting disabled people at the heart of projects through a person-centred approach to breaking down barriers.
Richard Whitehead MBE is a multi-medal winner who competed in 3 summer Paralympics in the 200m and 1 winter Paralympics in the Sledge Hockey event. Richard is also known as the marathon champ taking part in over 77 marathon events, including 40 marathons in 40 days raising funds for Sarcoma UK.
About the Nissan Possibilities Project:
The Nissan Possibilities Project is Nissan’s long-term sustainability initiative, built on the core belief of making excitement possible for all. The project uses Nissan’s technologies, resources, and expertise to create more opportunities for people from underrepresented communities, with a specific focus on supporting disability and LGBTQ+ initiatives.
Working with the Richard Whitehead Foundation and Sported UK, Nissan is helping people with disabilities become more mobile and participate in sporting activities by providing running prosthetics (and other mobility equipment) and ongoing support to young people with limb loss, amputation, or limb difference.
Through the project, Nissan also sponsors both the London Marathon and The Great Run Series. Nissan supports the events with its electrified vehicles and creates more inclusive opportunities for runners and supporters with Cheer Zones celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, and race places donated to charity partners to enable great participation from under-represented groups.