A SPORTS club for wheelchair-bound residents has been launched in High Wycombe on a trial basis.

Pauline Parker has set up the Wheelin Wheelers sports group after identifying a lack of opportunities for people who need the use of a wheelchair to socialise and play sport.

The 46-year-old was left paralysed from the waist down after an operation to cure a slipped disc in 2009 went wrong.

Ms Parker said: “I identified the need for a sports club when I was discharged from Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s National Spinal Injuries Centre after six weeks of rehabilitation.

“They say that rehab starts when you get home and there was never a truer statement. Whilst you are at the NSIC, every hour is filled with an activity but when you get home, you are left with long days filled with hours of not been able to do much.

“I looked for sports locally and found no wheelchair sports at all so I wanted something social, fun but an equally good workout.”

The group, which is open for people of all ages, meets every Sunday from 1pm at Wycombe Sports Centre, with participants choosing which sports they would like to play.

Friends and family are also invited to the club – which could be extended to four hour sessions if enough people are interested.

It is being initially funded through support from the Bowerdean Residents Action Group and a grant from Wycombe District Council’s ward member for Bowerdean, Cllr Julia Wassell.

Ms Parker said: “Don't let life roll away, come along and play.”

For more information email pparker704@gmail.com or visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/basketballbadmintonbanter