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Astra Tech provides sponsorship each year to support a variety of events and causes.
Beyond Boundaries Live
29th and 30th June 2007
The purpose of this new event was to provide disabled people with information on relevant products and services as well as an opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers, to see sports teams in action and to try out activities and equipment.
The first Beyond Boundaries Live Exhibition was a great success with nearly 3,000 people visiting Sandown Park on Friday and Saturday.
Astra Tech were pleased to meet many LoFric users and be able to update them on our newer products and services, as well as speaking to people who were interested in starting ISC with LoFric. Our focus was on LoFric Hydro-Kit II, which contains a catheter, sterile water sachet, integrated insertion aid and a 1000ml urine drainage bag. This is ideal when access to a toilet or water is restricted or transferring from a wheelchair is inconvenient.
Exhibitors included wheelchair manufacturers, adapted vehicles, prosthetics, financial planners, clothing, charities, sporting groups and equipment suppliers. We were pleased to be next to The Back-Up Trust, as we sponsor Wheelchair Skills Sessions which are run at the Spinal Units and their Train the Trainer sessions.
There were sports demonstrations by the GB Wheelchair Basketball Team, Table tennis, Angling and Falconry.
Speakers included Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson talking about her highs and lows, Ade Adepitan MDE - athlete and BBC presenter and Kerry McGregor the X Factor finalist talking about singing.
Rookwood Sponsorship
The Inter-Spinal Unit Games are an annual sporting event for current and former patients with a spinal cord injury. Entries are taken from all the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Units in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales , with patients being given an opportunity to participate and compete in a wide range of sporting activities.
The Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff, look forward each year to taking part in this event and last year the ‘ROOKWOOD ROOKIES’ were the proud winners of several events and took the overall title at ‘The Games’.
Astra Tech supported the Rookwood Rookies this year and funded the team sportswear and transport to and from Stoke Mandeville (Aylesbury), where the event is held.
The Rookwood Rookies
By Amanda Thomas - Assistant Physiotherapist
With the very kind help and support of Astra Tech, once again Rookwood Spinal Unit was able to attend Stoke Mandeville Hospital and participate in the
Inter -Spinal Unit Games.
The purpose of the event is to promote the idea that wheelchair users and disabled individuals can lead active lives and offers the opportunity for patients that have recently acquired a spinal injury, within the last twelve months, to participate in sporting activities, possibly for the first time since their injury. It is also a great environment in which to socialise with people from other teams and share experiences.
During the five day period, the patients were able to try out a variety of sports on a ‘have a go’ basis including wheelchair rugby, fencing, curling, power lifting, hand cycling, javelin, and many more . Also there were competitions held in archery, bowls, shooting, table tennis, swimming and power lifting.
The Rookwood Rookies demonstrated great team spirit, motivation and enthusiasm and participated in the Games to the full, following busy schedules with trying to ‘have – a – go’ at everything, along with taking part in all of the competition events. Great fun was had by all. There were excellent social events, and many personal achievements were gained. We were very proud to gain a first place in one of the swimming events, a certificate in the power lifting event and reached the semi finals in the Tetra table tennis.
Above all, the Games provided the patients with a taste of how they can participate in sporting activities after a spinal injury and gave them encouragement, support and information on how to continue with sport once discharged from hospital.
International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF)
Astra Tech are pleased to support the IWBF on an international level, as well as a Try Out Challenge to encourage younger people to enter the sport.
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Handcycling – Tour De France 2007
Le Tour de France arrived in London on Friday 6th July, for a weekend of exciting racing, huge crowds and fantastic weather.
As part of the programme of cycling events, the World Handcycling Federation (WHF), had races on Saturday and Sunday, and as a title sponsor, Astra Tech was pleased to join them for their race in Hyde Park on Sunday.
The People's Village was a hive of activity with crowds watching Stage 1 of the Tour on a big screen, a French market and the circuit around the Serpentine, (part of the TdF Prologue route from the previous day), which was the site for many races throughout the day.
The handcycling race was the last of the day and lasted 45 minutes. It was a sanctioned WHF 2007 World Cup event and a European Handcycling Federation circuit event, with Handcycling athletes from around the world. Four categories took part in the race which was supported by a large crowd.
The awards were presented by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Astra Tech UK Managing Director, Steve Harwood.
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Bladder & Bowel Seminars
In partnership with Astra Tech and Norgine, ERIC (Education & Resources for Improving Childhood Continence) are running a series of one-day seminars for healthcare professionals on the management of childhood bladder and bowel difficulties. For further information go to www.eric.org.uk or call 0117 301 2102.
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