The Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade is a charity fundraising and social club in Leighton Linslade – Bedfordshire and is a member of Rotary International. With a complete focus on supporting the local community, the Club conduct a diverse range of activities from the May Fayre to the annual carol float, as well as delivering the largest inclusive sports program in Bedfordshire – “Yes We Can!” (YWC).

The success of these activities raises significant funds to support the wider local community and international projects.

The YWC program is designed to provide accessible, affordable and sustainable sporting opportunities for those with a disability in Leighton-Linslade, Southwest Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. Prior to 2017 there was only one sport on offer to those with a disability in Leighton Linslade. Rotary Club wanted to correct this - and launched an initiative to create a centre of excellence for disability sport in the area.

Starting from scratch and against a severe lack of infrastructure, the program has brought together qualified and enthusiastic delivery partners to provide Football, Hockey, Tennis, Sailing and most recently Swimming in the form of the Otters Swimming Club. Since its launch, activities have been free to participants thanks to the numerous partnerships Rotary has created and grants that have been received. In addition, the program now operates an emerging Outreach initiative which is designed to deliver sports into disability groups within their regular meeting environment. YWC strives every day to provide the very best sports opportunities to those who need it most and covers all ages and genders.

Our grant of £3,000 towards the program will allow the Rotary Club to increase and improve their marketing activities. Firstly, this will help to ensure all those with a disability who wish to participate in sport are aware of the opportunities and have access to information about all the various sports on offer. Secondly, this funding will promote the benefits to the wider community including the opportunities that are available to volunteer and coach which exist within the program.

This budget will help increase the number of groups that activities can be delivered to. Here at Harpenden, we are thrilled to be supporting such a fantastic local charity and look forward to seeing the impact that our grant will have.

"Yes We Can has literally changed my son's life. I had been looking for an inclusive club that my son could join, and I found Yes We Can, and I am so glad that I did. He has grown in confidence so much since joining tennis 3 years ago, and it has had a massive impact on his whole life. The tennis coaches have been absolutely fantastic with him, and so patient and he now has a real love for tennis. He really feels part of a family being part of Yes We Can, as do I. This newfound confidence has enabled him to build friendships within the program and also at school which is something he struggled with before. You have given him a new sense of selfbelief and I owe this all to Yes We Can. Long may the clubs continue. Thank you so much." - Parent of a YWC Member