A WHEELCHAIR rugby club in north Cumbria that provides a “vital” outlet for veterans, people living with disabilities, and enthusiasts of the sport alike is continuing its growth.

The Penrith Pumas, which was established in 2020, has already been changing peoples lives, like that of Steve Jack - who started going along to the wheelchair rugby sessions after a near death experience sparked a desire to do more with his life.

Despite living in Eastriggs, over the border in Scotland, Steve travels down to Penrith every week to take part in the sessions.

Steve, 46, lives with Spina Bifida and has been in a wheelchair his whole life. However, two amputations changed everything.

He had his first leg amputation in 2009 after a sore on his leg became infected and spread to his bone.

The second amputation came in 2012 when Steve was meant to be in hospital for a minor operation. Whilst in hospital, Steve started bleeding out in the middle of the night.

“I got rushed to theatre and they managed to stop the bleed, but then it started again.

“It was the femoral artery and the only way they could save me was to take my leg,” said Steve.

“I nearly died that night and I knew I had a second chance at life.

“I started doing everything that I could like going to concerts and the football.”

It was ex-Royal Navy sailor, Gary Pettit who helped set up the Pumas after realising that there were no wheelchair rugby teams in the county that he could train with to help him prepare for the Invictus Games trials.

The Invictus Games never went ahead in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Penrith Pumas continued and began to grow as soon as lockdown lifted.

The team, which welcomes participants of all backgrounds and abilities attracts people from all over the county and beyond.

Steve said he first heard about the Pumas on Facebook.

There was disappointment initially as Steve couldn’t secure the time off work to travel down to play and lockdown brought life to a temporary stand-still.

Since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the Pumas have been able to restart their sessions and Steve said he has been reaping the benefits.

He added: “Even though I didn’t use my legs, after I lost them it affected me mentally.

“My mental health and confidence went straight out of the window because I looked different and felt different to everyone else.

“Even though I didn’t use my legs they were always a part of me, and then when I looked different it really started affecting my mental health.

“I knew I needed to find something regular and that’s why I spoke to the Pumas about coming down for a trial.

“Before my amputations, I was just going to work, going home and watching tv.

“I wasn’t doing anything with my life, but now I feel a hundred times better.

“My confidence and mental health is a lot better, I’ve met some great guys and girls and I’ve got some really good mates.

“We all stick together. If one of us is having a bad day, we all know about it.”

The Pumas played in their first competition, which was a mini tournament in Durham on August 7.

The Penrith Pumas train every Tuesday between 6pm and 8pm at Penrith Leisure Centre.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact the Pumas via email at enquiries@penrithpumas.co.uk, or visit their website at www.penrithpumas.co.uk.