Help to acquire park benches for a new petanque club

Description

Newtongrange Petanque Club have helped set up a new Petanque Club in Dalkeith. It's been a labour of love, currently in development, and we now need some benches for spectators.

 

I am Sandy Howden, I am a fit 71-year-old who has lived in Newtongrange for 42 years. Through a vigorous campaign, I have set up a Newtongrange Pétanque club, and now we also have one being developed in Dalkeith.

We have raised all the money we need for the grounds and kit. All we need now are park benches for spectators, preferably with wheelchair access. We are making the piste wheelchair-accessible with a new path leading to it from the car park. There are park benches designed for wheelchairs, with seating for 4 and 1 disabled person. Any park bench donations would be amazing.

Petanque can be played by people in wheelchairs. It is a game for all ages, inclusive and therapeutic for people with mental health struggles. It is free to play and can be played all year round. One member at Newtongrange plays with an oxygen pack on his back. Another member has a sight impairment and uses a fluorescent jack ball so they can see. It is an amazing way to get to know new people, to be sociable and active and feel part of a community. This hugely benefits the health and wellbeing of this community and is an incredible way to combat loneliness.

See example, this is Newtongrange Petanque Club​:

Can you donate, make or give a cash contribution towards a park bench?

“Since the club in Newtongrange started, I now know 55 people than I never knew before.”

Sandy Howden