Wyre and Preston North MP Ben Wallace has joined The OppO Foundation to donate three custom-built sports wheelchairs to injured veterans.

The presentation at Ambassadeurs Group in Mayfair on Tuesday 12 July saw Rob Bugden, Chris Anslow and Dave Anderson receive the life-changing equipment, which was bought with a £25,000 donation from the Ambassadeurs Group (AG).

The donations were made as part of Team OppO – the foundation’s project to support a large number of injured veterans wishing to use sports as a way of recovery.

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None of the recipients knew about the presentations prior to the event and the surprise announcement was made as the evening unfolded.

Rob is involved in rugby coaching and has been to the veteran games, Chris trains with Team GB’s volleyball squad and Dave competed in Wheelchair Rugby at the Invictus Games.

The injured veterans will use the wheelchairs in their quest to compete at elite level sports and hopefully the Paralympic Games.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “It’s one thing to say you support veterans and it’s a completely different thing to actually do something about it.

“The OppO Foundation and Team OppO is all about converting that support into reality for our veterans.

“It’s been brilliant to see in action some of the support that’s been given, and I can’t thank any of you enough for coming here and contributing by being here to support our veterans.

“The privilege of being defence secretary is that I have the responsibility of the before, during and after of our personnel, the men and women of our armed forces.

“If all these foundations and charities do anything it is to advertise that veterans are really valuable to your work, to your society and to your sport and your country and if you value your veterans you value your country.

“Thank you very much to OppO, it’s been fantastic.”

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