Harbord Diggers Gives Back $81,000 to Worthy Local Causes

In the spirit of giving back, the 2023 Category One grants will be directed towards causes supporting youth, seniors, children, families, and other vulnerable members of the community.

Two of the grant recipients include Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT and Learning Links, who Harbord Diggers is thrilled to be supporting with their projects aimed at fostering inclusivity within the community.

Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT has received a grant of $10,000 towards its Keep the Wheelchairs Rolling program, which will refurbish existing sports wheelchairs and acquire new multi-sport wheelchairs for the junior wheelchair sports program in the Northern Beaches area.

“Our mission is to change the lives of people living with a disability through participation in sport. This program provides opportunities for our members living with a disability who may be feeling socially and financially isolated get back into sport, or be encouraged to find a new sport and feel connected to the community,” explained Mick Garnett, CEO of Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT.

“The cost of equipment and specialist sports wheelchairs is often a barrier to entry in wheelchair sport. This is particularly an issue for our members living in the Northern Beaches area. In the past 12 months we have experienced a surge in growth and demand for wheelchair sports because of heightened interest in the Paralympic Games and we therefore need to refurbish or purchase new sports wheelchairs to meet demand,” he continued.

Another project being funded with a grant from the Diggers is Learning Links for its Reading for Life program supporting disadvantaged children with their literacy.

“Learning Links will deliver our evidence-based literacy program, Reading for Life, to support 12 children in Years 2 to 4 at a local school who are struggling and falling behind at a vital stage of their literacy development,” explained Learning Links General Manager, Funding and Partnerships, Don Tilley.

“The program works by providing the local school with trained Reading Buddies who will support the children one-to-one weekly for 15 weeks to improve their literacy skills and build their confidence to learn, develop and thrive,” he said.

Mounties Group President John Dean said Harbord Diggers is honoured to support these organisations and projects that are making a profound and lasting positive impact on the Northern Beaches community and they are grateful for their members for making it possible.

"Every dollar spent with us means we can give more and more each year to our local communities," said John.

In total, the 2023 ClubGRANTS program will see Mounties Group give back more than $1.16 million to over 77 projects across the Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Central Coast.