JM Glendinning pitches in to support wheelchair rugby team

JM Glendinning Insurance Brokers’ Newcastle business has pledged its support to the North East Barbarians Wheelchair Rugby team, enabling them to purchase a new home and away kits for all their players.

The Rugby Fives team is run by Newcastle Wheelchair Rugby CIC and was set up in 2018 by chairman and ex-rugby player, Mick Armstrong when his friend was looking for a new way to enjoy sport again after he became reliant on using a wheelchair. The team, which has 12 people in the squad, is open to anyone with a physical impairment and paraplegics.

JM Glendinning’s Newcastle business, which is part of the JMG Group, prides itself on being a renowned go-to insurance broker for providing niche insurance services for ‘hard to insure’ businesses. Managing director, Lee Tetley, says:

“We decided to support the Barbarians as they’re local to us and a team that is close to our hearts, as the husband of one of our senior brokers is part of the team. It’s such an exciting and inclusive game and I’m also a huge rugby fan so we were only too pleased to contribute towards its continuing success in this way.”

Club chairman, Mick Armstrong, is on a mission to help grow wheelchair sport. He says:

“We are very grateful for all the amazing support we receive and JM Glendinning’s contribution will ensure we look the part as well as act it. The team has gone from strength to strength since it launched and we are now opening up to a wider age range, offering training for juniors as well as for adults. Wheelchair rugby is great for physical and mental well-being as it can reduce stress levels and help to combat depression. We aim to give access to the sport to as many people as possible.”

Having recently raised £40,000 for adult sports chairs, Newcastle Wheelchair Rugby CIC is currently aiming to raise a further £35,000 to accommodate a junior members team for children aged between 6 and 17.