Printerland Treat Guests From The Wingate Centre To A Special Day Out

More than 50 guests from the Wingate Centre, which is based in Wrenbury, Nantwich, attended the game.

The Wingate Centre is an independent charity devoted to enriching the lives of children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Each year it welcomes hundreds of visitors, either for short breaks, activity days or to take part in recreational activities.

In addition to watching the game, guests also met Sale Sharks' Tongan star Halani Aulika, who is one of the Sharks' official disability ambassadors, and they also had a picture taken with Halani on the pitch at half-time.

The Sharks Community Trust is developing a special partnership with the Wingate Centre to establish a unique initiative to take their Disability & Inclusive Rugby programme into the area and to use the Wingate's specialist facilities to help provide a range of activities for local disabled people.

Many of the children and young adults who attend the Wingate Centre have complex, life-limiting disabilities and, as such, the Northampton match was the group's first live rugby game.

However, Catherine Cook, Marketing and Fundraising manager for the Wingate Centre, said the experience was one they had all relished.

"We can't thank Printerland and Sale Sharks enough for inviting us along to the match on Saturday. Everyone had a great time! We really appreciate the opportunity and we are looking forward to working with Sale Sharks more over the coming weeks and months," said Catherine.

Vicky Irwin, Sharks Community Trust Inclusion Officer, said: "Having the Wingate Centre's clients and volunteers attend the game as Printerland guests provided a unique opportunity for them to experience a Sale Sharks game.

"For the majority, this was their first live sporting event and, for many, such social experiences are extremely distressing. However, having the Quiet Room facility at the AJ Bell Stadium allows individuals the opportunity to come along with the reassurance that this wonderful facility is available just a short walk from their seats."

More information on the work of the Wingate Centre can be found at www.thewingatecentre.co.uk