Blackpool TTC played an integral role in the Wheelpower Inter Spinal Unit Games – an annual event which helps introduce spinal-injury patients to sport as part of their rehabilitation and recovery.

Table tennis was one of a number of sports which people could try out over three days at Blackpool Sports Centre, allowing them to have a go, receive coaching and, if they wished, enter a knockout competition.

Blackpool TTC provided wheelchair accessible tables and equipment and support from Brian Jackson (Chairman), who supported Dan Bullen and Paula and Alan Soldini to deliver the event.

At the end of the competition, the Women’s Para Table Tennis winner was Emma Nield from Glasgow, with Alice Heaven of Salisbury the runner-up and Jacqueline Skinner from Stanmore in third place.

The Men’s Para Table Tennis winner was Kalana Naranwala of Dublin, ahead of Pawel Hurztyn, also from Dublin, and Doug Kennedy from Oswestry.

The Mixed Tetra Table Tennis winner was Kyran Polhill from Llandough, with runner-up Sam Terry of Stanford Hall and third place going to Alison Houston of Salisbury.

The Inter Spinal Unit Games have been going since 1988 and are normally held annually at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. However, due to refurbishment currently being undertaken at Stoke Mandeville, they were hosted in Blackpool.

More than 80 competitors from spinal units around the UK took part in a wide range of sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair badminton, curling, para laser sport and archery, as well as table tennis.

The event aims to show patients first-hand what can be achieved, both in terms of sport and an independent lifestyle and discover the tremendous benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.

The Jean Stone Trophy, awarded to the top-performing spinal unit, went to Salisbury, with Llandough in second place and Dublin in third.

Salisbury also won the Roger Jefcoate Trophy for team spirit, as voted for by the other teams. Maigon Bradley from STEPS won the Mark Vestey Trophy for outstanding individual achievement.