PARALYMPICS LEGEND SURPRISES SHEFFIELD PARA ICE HOCKEY TEAM WITH GOLD

Jonnie Peacock surprises charity in Sheffield with major award

Sheffield Steelkings para ice hockey team puck-ered up for a National Lottery Award today when Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock MBE revealed they had been voted the UK’s favourite Sports Project - and followed the good news by watching the team train!

The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding.

Jonnie, who had his right leg amputated at the age of five after contracting meningitis and has become an inspirational advocate for Paralympic sport, broke the news that Sheffield Steelkings had won the Sports category in the National Lottery Awards to the para ice hockey players at their club today.

The National Lottery funded Sheffield Steelkings squad enables people with any lower body disabilities or impairments to play a fast-paced, physical team sport, whilst improving their mental health. Players have amputations, paraplegia, spina bifida and cerebral palsy as well as post-traumatic stress disorder; so taking part in mainstream sport is not always possible.

Jonnie spoke of the surprise reveal:

“I’m honoured to announce Sheffield Steelkings has won the UK’s Best Sports project in the National Lottery Awards. It is incredible to hear the stories of how the para ice hockey players got into the game and are completely sport mad.

“Getting into sports isn’t always easy and sometimes people have to adapt a lot. I think it is so important that this fantastic team has achieved the recognition it deserves and National Lottery players should feel proud to have funded this project.”

Responding to the news that Sheffield Steelkings has won Best Sports Project at the National Lottery Awards 2018, Jake Oakley, Chairman of Sheffield Steelkings, says:

“It’s absolutely amazing that Sheffield Steelkings has won Best Sports Project in the National Lottery Awards – we’re also thrilled to meet the incredible Jonnie Peacock.

“This award means we can continue making a difference to the lives of so many people, through the joy of para ice hockey. A huge, huge thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

Sheffield Steelkings beat off competition from 700 entries to win £5,000 cash prize and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and will have its work celebrated on a special BBC One programme to be broadcast on the 26 September.

National Lottery players raise £30 million a week for arts, sport, heritage and community good causes. For more information go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or follow the campaign on Twitter: hashtag #NLAwards.

ENDS

For further information please contact The National Lottery Awards:

Elle Rigby on 07920581267 / Nicola Bligh on 0791 4157667 or email Elle.Rigby@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

PICTURE CAPTION:

Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock MBE surprised para ice hockey project Sheffield Steelkings with the news they have been named the UK’s Best Sports Project in the National Lottery Awards- the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.