Monthly Archives: April 2018

Disability, Equality

NFL Draft 2018: Shaquem Griffin joins Seattle to become league’s first one-handed player

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Shaquem Griffin has become the first one-handed player to be drafted by an NFL team after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round.

The linebacker had his left hand amputated when he was four, having been born with a condition that prevented the fingers from fully developing.

The 22-year-old joins his twin brother Shaquill, a cornerback, in Seattle.

Shaquem Griffin was in attendance in Dallas to hear his name called at the 2018 NFL Draft.

He starred at college level, winning his conference’s defensive player of the year award in 2016 and playing in an unbeaten University of Central Florida team last season.  More

Equality, Gender

Millicent Fawcett: Statue of suffragist unveiled

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Millicent Fawcett statue

A statue commemorating the life of the suffragist, Millicent Fawcett, has been unveiled opposite Parliament.

She campaigned for women’s right to vote during the early 20th Century and is seen as one of the most influential feminists of the past 100 years.

Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to the “truly great” campaigner’s “lasting impact” after it was unveiled.

The bronze casting, by the artist Gillian Wearing, is the first statue of a woman erected in Parliament Square.  More

Disability, Diversity

Disability-led ensemble to play BBC Proms

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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Resound ensemble will become the first disability-led group to play the BBC Proms this summer.

The group is led by James Rose, who has cerebral palsy and conducts using a baton strapped to his head.

His fellow musicians have conditions such as blindness, autism and partial deafness.

They’ll make their Proms debut less than a year after being formed, at a “relaxed Prom” on 27 August.

The low-key concert is aimed at children and adults with autism, sensory impairments and learning disabilities; and will be signed for those with hearing difficulties.  More

Gender, Inclusion

Scottish Rugby and Girlguiding Scotland team up to get more girls into sport

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Scotland are teaming up to empower more girls to discover the fun and fitness of rugby in a ground-breaking new partnership.

The new programme called ‘Guides into Rugby’ aims to encourage Girlguiding Scotland members age 10 to 14, many of whom may never have played rugby before, to experience Scottish Rugby’s Tartan Touch, a fun, simplified non-contact version of the sport.

As the leading charity for girls and young women in the country, with 50,000 members aged 5-25, it is hoped thousands of girls will have the opportunity to discover what rugby has to offer.   More

Diversity, Ethnicity, Inclusion, Race

British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards: Ellie Downie and Maro Itoje triumph

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Gymnast Ellie Downie and rugby union’s Maro Itoje were named sportswoman and sportsman of the year at the 2018 British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards.

Downie, 18, won all-around gold at the European Championships last year, qualifying for every individual final.

Itoje, 23, had a successful year for Saracens, England and the British and Irish Lions.

Pioneering footballer Cyrille Regis, who died in January aged 59, was given a special recognition award.  More

Disability, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – April 2018

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On 11th April it is World Parkinson’s Day and with that in mind we have chosen Rob Deering as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

Rob is a stand up comedian being one of the most in-demand headliners on the UK circuit, he’s toured nationally and performed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe many times since starting out in comedy in the year 2000. His late-night, live-music comedy pop quiz Beat is a festival institution, on London’s South Bank, at Wales’ Green Man and many more besides Edinburgh.

Rob has performed throughout the world, in shows from the Middle East to Melbourne, Shanghai to the South of France, and he has appeared many Radio and TV shows.

He has been a supporter of Parkinson’s UK since 2007. His father has Parkinson’s and encouraged Rob to get involved. Since then he has run marathons, featured on quiz shows, and set up a series of comedy nights in support.

In 2007 he won £24,000 for the charity during a special comedians’ edition of the Weakest Link, and he also won Celebrity Mastermind in 2014.

Rob is the brains behind Shake with Laughter, a series of comedy nights around the country which is now in its sixth successful year. He also performed for Parkinson’s UK at the Royal Albert Hall in Symfunny No.2 last year.

Rob is a keen marathon runner and is the Parkinson’s UK Champion of Running. Inspired by his father, Rob takes part in a number of running events every year, including the London Marathon which he has run six times.

To find out more about World Parkinson’s Day see here https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/world-parkinsons-day

To find out more about Rob see here http://www.robdeering.com/biography/