Sponsorship crisis for Rossendale-based UK watersports competition

Date published: 01/07/2008

ONE of the UK’s largest disabled watersports competitions is taking place in Rossendale - but is in desperate need of last minute sponsors.

The British Disabled National Championships are due to take place at Whitworth Water Ski Centre on July 12 and 13 but the main sponsor, Richardson Projects, has pulled out after it was taken over by another company.

It costs £10,000 to stage the competition but the event’s management committee fear it may have to be paid for out of club’s funds.

This would mean the club will not be able to buy new equipment which it has been saving up for.

The event is expected to attract 15 disabled competitiors including paraplegics, amputees and blind people of all ages from across Europe.

Manager Andy Knowles, who has been the British Disabled Team coach since 1996, is desperate for any sponsors to come forward.

He said: “I know it’s not the company’s fault but this is really last minute and we may have to fund this cash out of our own pockets “We’re a charity - so we can’t really afford to pay for this event ourselves.

“We already have to play for the flights of the judges and the rest will be coming out of our income.

“At the moment any money will help us.”

Last year the event had to be cancelled because a championship was taking place in Australia. As competitiors had to fund this trip, they did not have enough money to take part in another event.

Andy added: “We don’t really want to have to cancel the event again - it would be such a shame. We usually get about 1000 spectators down to watch.”

The event’s management team is considering introducing a section of the competition to be held for able-bodied sportspeople.

As the northern training site for the British Disabled Water Ski Association, the centre aims is to introduce newcomers to the sport, who due to their disabilities, have not considered such a challenge is possible.

• Anyone willing to sponsor the event, up to any amount, can contact Andy Knowles on 01706 852534.