Leicester Tigers Wheelchair Rugby player Ryan Dickin is among the young people being supported by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust’s Inspire Awards scheme.

Launched in June 2014 at Welford Road stadium, the Inspire Awards offer small grants and/or specialist support to young people aged 13-19 in our region to help them develop their talents.

The Trust was set up in memory of Joe Humphries, a fit and healthy 14-year-old who died in October 2012 as a victim of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), a group of lethal heart diseases which can cause sudden cardiac death in young people.

Ryan, 18, is a multi-skilled young sportsman in wheelchair basketball and rugby.

He only took up rugby last year but played in the Tigers’ bronze medal squad at an international event in Germany before joining the GB junior development squad in both of his chosen sports.

He says: "With rugby there is a real chance I could make the 2016 Paralympics, so I am going to do everything I possibly can to get there.

"It's the first contact sport I have played and I'm still getting used to being able to hit people. But it's great fun.

“The Inspire grant will allow me to attend more training sessions and GB camps, as well as contribute to tournaments for club and country. All of this will aid my dream of being selected for Rio and beyond.”

Inspire grants of up to £500 are available for young people between 13-19 years who live in Leicester or Leicestershire and are either training for competition in a significant sporting activity recognised by the Trust or pursuing a project to benefit their community.

Applications will also be considered from young artists or musicians and young entrepreneurs looking to develop ideas and concepts.

Each successful applicant is given their own blog to share their story and take the role as an ambassador to help raise awareness of the Trust’s work to encourage young people to learn CPR lifesaving skills and how to use a defibrillator, through the Joe’s mini HeartStart for sports clubs scheme.

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For further details about the Inspire Awards go to: https://jhmt.org.uk/inspire-awards/about-the-awards