New para-sledge for ice hockey boy after theft

Matthew, 13, plays for Sheffield Steelkings para ice hockey club

A 13-year-old boy left devastated by the theft of the para-sledge he uses to play ice hockey can return to the rink after another junior team offered to buy him a replacement.

Matthew, who plays for Sheffield Steelkings para ice hockey club, lost his sledge when it was taken - along with his mum's car - while they were watching a Sheffield Steelers game.

Matthew and his mum Victoria, a nurse, immediately launched a crowdfunder for a new sledge - and soon surpassed their £1,000 target.

But in the meantime Hampshire club Basingstoke Junior Bison offered to buy him a new sledge, with the extra money raised going towards more equipment for Matthew's team.

Matthew, who lives in north Lincolnshire but trains in Sheffield, decided to join the team after watching professional outfit the Steelers. He lives with cerebral palsy.

He was "devastated" when his sledge was stolen because the sport had become "his life".

After seeing his story on social media, the Basingstoke Junior Bison club, which is soon to be closing after three decades, said it wanted to buy him a new sledge using leftover funds.

Matthew's mum Victoria said she got the tool box out and built the sledge while Matthew was at school and left it in the living room to surprise him

Tony Rearden from the team said: "We wanted to do something positive that reflected the spirit of the Junior Bisons over the years, so when we heard about Matthew's sledge being stolen we knew we could make a real difference.

"Hockey's always been about community; giving everyone a chance to play.

"Helping Matthew get back on the ice seemed the perfect way to give back."

Victoria said the new sledge was "even better than the original" because it was lighter and more streamlined.

She said her son "burst into tears" when she told him the Bisons had offered to buy the sledge outright.

Matthew said he was "shocked" and "so happy" to get back on the ice.

"It looks amazing," said Matthew.

"It's a lot better, and it just looks - new!"

Mr Rearden said it had been "a pleasure" to help at a time which has also been really hard for the club.

"Knowing Matthew will be able to get back training again means a lot to everyone at the Junior Bisons," he said.

"It means someone else can have the opportunity to get on the ice."

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