Mansfield-based disabled football club Nottinghamshire Powerchair FC has been awarded more than £13,000 through Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards replacing batteries on powered wheelchairs and covering insurance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The club represents Nottinghamshire in national muscular dystrophy leagues and has 21 players and three teams.

The grant will allow Nottinghamshire Powerchair FC to start back when it’s safe to do so. With the powered wheelchairs not being charged due to access, the batteries will need replacing and without the funding that would have delayed any restart.

The new emergency fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship.

Club chairman Ricky Stevenson said: “This is fantastic support for our club. These vital funds will enable the club to start activities when it’s safe to do so.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England chief executive, added: “As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again.

“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Nottinghamshire Powerchair FC.”