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Apology as bus fails to turn up for group with special needs

BBC Champion holding the cup celebrating success.BBC
Men's learning disability champion John Brown alongside Aaron McCorkell, the main sponsor of the event

The Northern Trust has apologised after a group of people with special needs was left without transport to take part in a pool competition.

A bus was supposed to bring almost 30 people to the Northern Ireland Disability Pool event in Coleraine, but it never showed up.

One of the organisers said she was frustrated by the error, which had left participants "disappointed".

The Northern Trust said it "experienced transport issues from time to time due to pressures on the service".

A blond haired woman and a white haired man stand beside one another. She is smiling and has glasses on her head. He has a white moustache. Both are wearing red polo shirts.
Pauline Lynch and Trevor Harte are the organisers of the event

The father of one of the participants who has Down's syndrome said his son had spent a year preparing to take part.

“He had been practicing all year as he wanted to come home with a trophy as he was successful last year," he said.

"When the centre informed him that there was no transport, he was devastated, as it is the biggest pool competition of the year.”

The Special Pool event is seen as a highlight in the calendar for those taking part, according to Pauline Lynch, the secretary of the Northern Ireland Disability Pool.

'Not just a game of pool'

A man with very short cropped fair hair is staring into the camera. He is wearing a dark polo shirt. There are a few pool tables in the background with lots of people standing around.
Competitor Edward Huey said the event is 'the highlight of the year'

“This event is not just a game of pool; this brings them together, lowers their anxiety levels, and improves their self-esteem. We have a wide range of disabilities, including mental health, people with brain injuries, and Down's syndrome.

“It's just been immense to their lives; it gives them a real sense of importance and a sense of belonging."

She said the players had "built up their whole lives for a full year, and then to be turned around at the last minute and told they cannot attend is disappointing".

Edward Huey has taken part in the event for more than 30 years and says it is good for his mental health.

“This is something to look forward to. I have problems I can discuss with other people in similar situations.

"My hands shake, but I am able to play, and this event gives me the opportunity.”

A pool table with a man holding a pool cue taking a shot. He has blond hair and is wearing a dark, short sleeved shirt. The pool table is grey. There is another pool table in the background with people standing around it.
Norman Vauls takes a successful shot in the Lodge hotel Coleraine

Norman Vauls, who is in his 60s and has Down's syndrome, was one of the first people to play pool for Mountferne Adult Centre.

A spokesperson for Norman said: “This is the highlight of his year; for some people, this is the only day of the year they get out.

"Norman cannot hear anymore, but that is the attraction to the sport. You do not need perfect hearing to be able to take part.

"In Northern Ireland, the main sport for people with learning difficulties is pool, and it is played in most centres in Northern Ireland.

"They meet their friends here. It's the only thing they enjoy; they cannot really play the likes of football and rugby.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said: “We offer our sincere apologies to the teams that transport was not available to bring them to this event and understand their disappointment and frustration.

“We can appreciate how much hard work and training had gone into preparing for this event, and to have missed this opportunity to compete is a huge disappointment for all involved."