The Para-Equipment Fund, which is presented by Suncor Energy business Petro-Canada alongside Sport Canada and the CPC, delivers grants of up to $5,000 (£3,240/€3,926) to national sport organisations, as well as provincial and local-level clubs to purchase adapted equipment to enable people with a disability to participate in sports such as wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey.

In all, 33 sports organisations across the country, representing 21 different sports among them, have received a total of $116,670 (£75,579/€91,580) with grants awarded to cover 50 per cent of the total cost of the equipment.

The applicant is responsible for covering the other 50 per cent of the equipment costs, bringing this year's total equipment investment to exactly $233,340 (£151,204/€183,216).

"On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, I'd like to congratulate all the recipients of the Para-Equipment Fund," said Henry Storgaard, the CPC President.

"It's very exciting to see the increase in the availability of adapted sports equipment, ensuring that more people with a disability can enjoy the benefits of sport.

"Thank you, Petro-Canada, for supporting this essential programme."

The Para-Equipment Fund was launched in 2005 by the CPC with the help of the federal Government and Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business and Steven Keith, Petro-Canada's director of Olympic and community partnerships, said his organisation was delighted to contribute to the development of disability sport in Canada.

"We recognise that while it is important to support the Canadian Paralympic Team competing on the world stage, it is also vital to support introductory efforts to help more Canadians with a disability get active in the first place," said Keith.

"Access to adapted equipment can sometimes be a barrier for people with a disability trying sports for the first time.

"We're extremely proud to support this grassroots initiative and to help organisations make it easier for all Canadians to have the opportunity to participate."

The next round of applications for the Para-Equipment Fund will be accepted starting this month on January 25, while applications can be made here.

Applications for the Recruitment Programmes Fund, which helps organisations provide positive introductory sport experiences for people with a disability, will also open on January 25.

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