Nissan has announced a donation to the Manchester City FC charity, City in the Community (CITC).
Nissan, the first global partner of City Football Group, has supported CITC’s Powerchair Football sessions by funding eight new chairs for young people to use while they play.
The electric wheelchairs are specially adapted so that players with a high level of impairment can dribble, shoot and intercept in fast-paced, dynamic matches.
As a result of the donation, CITC can ensure that more participants, especially those without a powerchair at home, can get involved.
CITC runs the Powerchair Football sessions on a weekly basis, allowing young people with disabilities to play football and compete with other local teams.
The donation is part of the Nissan Possibilities Project, a long-term initiative to enable inclusivity for all through participation in sport.
To celebrate the donation, Manchester City first team players Aymeric Laporte and Zack Steffen went head-to-head in a Powerchair Football match with two participants from City in the Community.
Jack Humphries, 19, has been attending the session for five years and has now progressed to a volunteer role.
Commenting on the day, he said: “It’s a boyhood dream. I never thought as a disabled person I would be playing with footballers.
Increasing accessibility
“This donation ensures that everyone will have the same chance. Some players have their own chairs, but a lot of others do not, so it means they are able to still play. It also helps us to challenge at elite level.
“We cannot thank Nissan enough for their support.”
Speaking after the visit, Aymeric Laporte added: “It is very nice of Nissan to try and help these young people. I can tell they like these sessions a lot and it is great for us to be involved in the action.”
Nic Thomas, Marketing Director at Nissan GB, said: “It is important to keep evolving our partnership with CITC.
“We are proud to provide these much-needed new Powerchairs that enhance our commitment to the disability programme, increasing accessibility and participation in sport through the Nissan Possibilities Project which has been set up to create greater opportunities for people from under-represented communities.”