 The
WAMDSAD Story
In March 2008, WAMDSAD is 33 years old – and what a story of
achievement we have to tell!
WAMDSAD was founded in March 1975 by an active
group of disabled people whose aim was to establish a network
of sports clubs for disabled throughout Southern England.
In 1982, with an expanding membership and following early
successes at the Paralympics and national and regional sports
events, our clubhouse the first of its kind in the UK – was
opened by HRH Princess Anne, having raised funding of £140k
via the local community and all by self-help. In 1996 we completed
a major extension to the clubhouse having gained a further
£330k funding with the help of the National Lottery, local
community support and endless fundraising schemes. HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh opened the new clubhouse extension in April
of that year. Following further membership expansion, and
a need to move to a 7 day-per-week operation, we commenced
employing part-time staff to operate the club, which now employs
four part time staff.
 In
1996 we won the Top Club Award for the best sports club for
the disabled in the UK and the Local Sports Council Award
for the best-developed club in the district. In 2001 we were
runners-up in the Sports Club of the Year Awards, organised
by the Central Council of Physical Recreation for all voluntary
clubs (able bodied and disabled) in the UK.
Our Achievements
- 2003 presented £15,000 to the BPA (British Paralympic
Association)– to support the GB team for Athens Paralympics
- Atlanta 1996 & Sydney 2000 – 8 medals
- 1996 Top UK Sports club for the disabled
- Current holder of BSAD ‘Top Club’ award
- Clubhouse extension built in 1996 (opened by the Duke of
Edinburgh)
- Clubhouse built in 1982 (opened by Princess Anne)
- Attended every Paralympics since 1976
- Formed in 1975 to improve disabled peoples lives
- High profile in the community – noted for positive attitude
and self-help
- National reputation
- Improved the quality of life of literally hundreds of people
with disabilities
How we are organised
WAMDSAD is a voluntary charitable membership organisation,
limited by guarantee with a VAT registered trading arm. We
have a number of sub-committees running various aspects of
the club – sport, fundraising, marketing and social and fun
events. We have a team of part-time staff working for WAMDSAD
a Director of sport and numerous sports section leaders.
Click here to see an overview of our
people.
Finance & Funding
We have to raise £150k in order to operate, which is almost
all voluntarily funded. We have an active fundraising committee
and we rely heavily on our Annual
Marathon Wheelchair Push, Street Collections, Sponsorships,
Community Donations,
Facility Hire
and our Social Bar & Conference
facility hire, all of which are highly dependent on the
support and effort of our Members’ and Volunteers.
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