The Scottish region of the Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) has been awarded a £5,000 grant from Heart Research UK to provide a variety of sporting activities across Scotland for children and adults with dwarfism.
People with dwarfism suffer greatly with weight issues as all organs, appetite and stomach are the same as an average person, but limbs are much shorter affecting mobility, breathing, risk for heart issues and overall general wellbeing.
The World Dwarf Games Training programme will provide a variety of sporting activities such as swimming, football, basketball and hockey for children aged 8-16 and adults aged 16-40 to promote a healthy heart, body and mind.
Those that wish to be part of team GB will compete at the 8th World Dwarf Games 2021 in Cologne Germany. This innovative training programme will help cover the extensive skills that the World Dwarf Games will require at the same time as increasing confidence and heart health for people across Scotland with dwarfism.
The programme will also focus weight management, improvements in cardiovascular fitness, optimum muscle and joint health and reinforcing positive changes to behaviour such as nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle choices.
The Heart Research UK Healthy Heart team will also capture the impact on dads and male carers of competitors through Healthy Heart checks.
The project will be funded by a Heart Research UK and Subway Healthy Heart grant. The £5,000 has been raised locally in Subway stores throughout Scotland, and through the nationwide Subway Helping Hearts™ Family 5K fun runs, including in Edinburgh in 2018.
Hailey Davidson, Regional Co-Ordinator for DSA Scotland said: “Sporting activities are never going to be easy or fair when you are half the height of your peers.
“To be able to give Team Scotland the appropriate training needed to compete internationally on an even playing field is amazing! We are so thankful to Heart Research UK for your support and to Subway customers for donating in store to help make this happen.
“The team are dedicated, passionate and such a positive group of people. There’s such a ripple effect, a growing energy and bonding amongst the community, particularly between dad’s and our inspirational little athletes, it’s incredible. Go Team Scotland!”
Sarah Mirfin, Healthy Heart coordinato0 at Heart Research UK said: “Everyone should be able to have a healthy heart, regardless their situation. The aim of the Heart Research UK and Subway Healthy Heart Grants is to break down the barriers to health and inspire others.
“The World Dwarf Games Training project is truly inspirational. We are thrilled to be helping to raise the profile of Dwarfism and help spread the message beyond the shores of Scotland that we can all achieve great things and live healthier, happier lives.”
Healthy Heart Checks are planned for dads and male carers Sunday 8 September at a Multi-Sports event at The Peak, Stirling, FK8 1QZ. Contact Hailey Davidson on 07894561109 to find out more.
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