A COMMUNITY project to help people with physical and learning disabilities take part in sport has been awarded more than £70,000 by the National Lottery.

Defiant Sports, in Eastbourne, runs inclusive sports sessions, including boccia, visually impaired tennis, and table cricket in an accessible environment.

Managing director Loretta Lock said the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund would allow it to add more sessions and buy new equipment, as it looks to reduce the barriers to enter sport.

The Argus: The project was set up after managing director Loretta Lock struggled to find an accessible place for her son to play sport

She said: “With this support, we hope to grow and provide inclusive sports for all to a wider reaching audience, ensuring everyone with a barrier to participation can enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

The project began out of frustration after Ms Lock struggled to find a place in sport where her son Callum, who has cerebral palsy and autism, could thrive.

He often found himself at a disadvantage when playing tennis against non-disabled players.

The only advice given was to play in a wheelchair, which was inappropriate for his needs.

After finding tennis for the visually impared, she set up Defiant Sports to help Callum and others like him to have the right accessible setting to play sport together.

Callum excelled in the environment, his self-esteem soared and within six months he was a national champion.

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has already awarded a share of £5 million this year to over 100 community groups and charities across East Sussex, to provide support for areas impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund has awarded grants to a range of projects in the county, including groups supporting people with mental health issues, social exclusion among BAME communities, and groups helping children and young people with the impact of lockdown.

Money raised by National Lottery players for good causes is distributed from the fund; last year over £500 million of life-changing funding was awarded to communities across the UK.