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Pedro is sitting in his wheelchair smiling with his arms open. A lady is laughing with an arm around his shoulder. They are at the beach, enjoying the sun.

£1.86 million grant awarded to charity Back Up

Tuesday, 12 September 2023

We have awarded a £1.86 million grant to Back Up, a charity that deliver services that build confidence, independence and inspire people affected by spinal cord injury to transform their lives.

The new funding will be focused on activities which ensure that people with spinal cord injury have a more positive experience of transport and feel more confident in making journeys.

The grant will be awarded over three years.

“We can reach even more people affected by spinal cord injury”

Abigail Lock, Back Up’s Chief Executive, said: “86% of people who use Back Up’s mentoring service had travel and transport related goals. 

“This is not surprising given how vital travel and transport is to living life to the full, getting back to work or simply meeting up with your friends.

“Our partnership with Motability Foundation will mean that we can reach even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

“This funding will enable us to teach the practical skills and give confidence to the thousands of people with spinal cord injury to travel how they want, where they want and when they want.”

Pedro’s story

Back Up proudly support people like Pedro.

He learnt how to travel independently after sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury during a motorcycle accident.

Determined to keep his active lifestyle, Pedro signed up for a Back Up Multi Activity Course – where he rediscovered his confidence by learning from others on the course.

“We’re delighted to provide funding to Back Up”

Lisa Jones, Director of Charitable Operations at the Motability Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to provide funding to Back Up, who provide activities to people with spinal cord injury to improve their confidence when travelling.

“For many disabled people, travelling can be a challenge, so having access to a service like this can be a lifeline.

“Awarding grants to experienced organisations like Back Up, to help disabled people make the journeys they choose, is the reason we launched our impact grants programme supporting other charities and organisations.”

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We have several grants available to charities and organisations and charities to help disabled people make more journeys.

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