People with disabilities get sport session funding

Nova Sports provides a wide range of activities for children with disabilities

A non-profit organisation that provides sports sessions to children with disabilities has won funding from the BBC's Children in Need.

Nova Sports was set up seven years ago in Bath by husband and wife Jenny and Alex Johnson after they studied together at the University of Bath.

"Every single day I go home and I feel like I've made an important difference," said Jenny. "I grew up playing sport without a disability and it gave me so much, I think every child should be given that opportunity."

Nova has won three years worth of funding through Children in need which will go towards the many activities they put on in Bath, Somerset and Bristol.

Jenny and Alex both wanted to work in sports for disabled people and set up NOVA after finding nothing existed in their area.

"It's amazing because it allows us as a small organisation to look ahead to the future and not just be planning month-to-month and create sustainable opportunities in our community that we know are going to be there to last for these young people," Jenny added.

Nova Sports put on a range of activities such as frame racing, gymnastics and swimming in specially heated pools.

Parents whose children attend their sessions are grateful for the opportunities it provides them with.

"It's a unique opportunity for him to feel some of the things we feel like the freedom to move our arms or feel the ground as we walk," said Michael Hartley, whose son attends one of Nova's swimming classes.

"Its physio-therapy but its in a fun way where she probably doesn't realise that she's working out as much as she is," said Iain Freeman, whose daughter also swims with Nova.