The WFA announced as Slater & Gordon’s 2024 Charity of the Year
We are proud to announce that The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) have been voted the 2024 Slater and Gordon Charity of the Year.
Competing against nine other incredible charities, we secured an impressive 20% of the total votes. Your votes and unwavering support have played a crucial role in us securing this award, recognising our collective efforts to promote inclusivity and community through Powerchair Football. Thank you so much for every single vote – it means the world.
This award from Slater and Gordon will significantly enhance our ability to grow and govern Powerchair Football, providing substantial funding and a year of fundraising support that will increase our brand visibility. Their generous contribution will allow us to expand our programmes and continue making strides in promoting Powerchair Football across both new and existing communities.
The five-figure donation will not only amplify our impact on individuals, families, and communities across the UK, but their commitment to ongoing support will also allow us to assist more people daily, improve our resources, and extend our reach for years to come.
The WFA was initially established as a voluntary organisation to provide wheelchair users with the opportunity to play football, a previously unavailable option.
Embracing Slater & Gordon’s value of “We don’t wait, we create,” The WFA became the lead body for Powerchair Football in England in 2005 and has grown significantly since then. After becoming a charity in 2012 and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2014, its impact has only continued to expand. More than two decades on, The WFA is recognised globally as a leading organisation in Powerchair Football, having directly supported thousands in England and influenced many others across the world.
We have strong ambitions for 2025, aiming to significantly expand our reach, enhance player development, and boost overall visibility. We are excited to have Slater and Gordon on board for this journey. Their support, including a significant five-figure donation and a year of fundraising assistance, will enable us to establish more local clubs, invest in coaching and development programmes, and enhance our marketing efforts to ensure that more people have the opportunity to participate in or support Powerchair Football.
Dean Williams, Chairperson of The WFA, shared his excitement about the announcement:
“This is outstanding news and a game-changing moment for us. As part of the award, we are set to receive a significant financial donation, highlighting just how significant this achievement is. Our ability to punch way beyond our weight is a testament to our team’s hard work and the compelling mission that resonated even in the presence of such formidable charity competition.
A huge thank you to our entire team for their relentless efforts and our community and supporters, whose backing is nothing short of a superpower. Your continuous support is the cornerstone of our success. Let’s keep this incredible momentum going and continue to exceed expectations together. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you again.”
Madelene Holdsworth, Managing Director of Specialist Legal Services at Slater and Gordon took part as a judge of the competition. She comments
“A huge congratulations to The Wheelchair Football Association.
From being involved in the shortlisting process myself, it was no mean feat to select ten finalists. Hearing the stories of so many charities and the impact they are making made the decision very difficult. The Wheelchair Football Association should be extremely proud of their efforts and the huge impact they are making.
It will be amazing to see what else they can achieve in 2025. Through a significant financial donation, as well as support from our in-house specialists, we will be with them every step of the way during 2025 to help them achieve even greater things”.
