This annual initiative, now in its 14th year, aims to celebrate access and inclusion for disabled sports fans across England and Wales.
Disabled people constitute the largest minority group at around 15 per cent of the population and this number is increasing year on year.
Naturally, a large number of disabled people are football fans too and we are pleased to take this opportunity to thank our own disabled fans for their continued loyalty and dedication to this great club. But we also appreciate that many disabled people have yet to share the passion and pleasures of being a football fan.
The Hatters welcome disabled fans along with their families and friends, and over the past fortnight we have shared the stories of George Barnard, a supporter who attends matches home and away in his wheelchair, and Joseph, a 19-year-old who helps the club’s ground staff one day a week as part of our partnership with Central Beds College, in order to help build his confidence and social skills.
We have also carried stories on the recent matchday visit of the players’ charity of the season – Kids In Action – for whom the squad have held a boot and glove auction which has raised a sizeable four-figure sum, while our homegrown defender James Justin proudly volunteered to be player patron for the Luton Town Disabled Supporters’ Association.
On page 58 of today’s programme, you can also read about the success of the Hatters Adult PAN Disability team who had a half-time kickabout on the Kenilworth Road pitch when we hosted Rochdale recently.
LTFC are pleased to support the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action 2019 by dedicating today’s fixture with Gillingham to the wonderful campaign.
We are joining together with sports clubs, fans and organisations across England and Wales who are all taking part in #WeeksOfAction2019 and have chosen to share one common message – access and inclusion for all.
For more information about Level Playing Field (LPF) and this year’s Weeks of Action, please visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call 01923 545 370. Alternatively you may wish to send a message of support to @lpftweets using the hashtag #WeeksOfAction
