The Casino Industry Stalwarts Funding Powered Wheelchairs for Families in Need

CHIPS charity provides powered wheelchairs, funded by the casino industry, to disabled children across the UK. (Image: Courtesy of Merkur Casino UK)

Imagine having a debilitating health problem like muscular dystrophy, which renders you unable to stand or walk. The most common variety of symptoms begin in childhood, predominantly in boys. Other types don't surface until adulthood. There's no cure for muscular dystrophy, but medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. 

Now imagine not being able to afford a wheelchair for your child and no matter how hard you try, the health system just cannot provide what your child needs to have some form of independence of movement. I am guessing that you would be distraught, frustrated, unhappy, and desperate for help. 

Enter CHIPS, a charity started by a few people involved with both online casinos and the broader casino sector in the UK, whose main aim is to provide those very children and families with a wheelchair. Not just any ordinary wheelchair, as Linda Lindsay - one of the founders and a trustee of CHIPS - told us during an interview for Casinos.com.

Linda has raised funds for charity for many years, but when she and her husband Jeffrey started the John Huxley (Casino Equipment) Golf Tournament, they asked the players to donate towards purchasing powered wheelchairs for youngsters with different disabilities. 

Linda formed CHIPS Charity - who recently ran a roulette day, raising £2,140 - with three other members of the casino industry who all agreed to donate their time. She travels up and down the country, meeting every youngster and their family and presenting them with their new powered wheelchairs. 

The mission statement says it all. ‘To provide independence and mobility to disabled children’. 

What personally motivated you to start CHIPS Charity after your initial experience with raising funds for powered wheelchairs? 

“I have been raising money for charity since I was a young woman. In the late 80’s we used to take 60 or 70 of our top clients to play golf at the Belfry at our expense. One of our players said why don’t you get them to cough up some money for charity. We got involved with the golfer, Peter Aliss powered wheelchair charity which provided wheelchairs predominantly for boys and boys with muscular dystrophy.

"What I wanted to do was raise the profile of the casino industry. As we all know if a card dealer gets a parking ticket it makes front page of The Sun. I wanted to show that the industry does give back. I got together with three other people from the casino industry to form the charity." tells Linda.

“After 30 years we have raised in excess of £3.5 million. We have handed out well over 700 powered wheelchairs to children up and down the country."

Could you elaborate on the specific activities or formats of the John Huxley Golf Tournament that have proven most effective at engaging participants and donors? 

“The golf tournament is our major fundraising event of the year. We send out 100 people to play golf, but it is now at their expense. There is an auction, and we raise funds that way. One presentation that stood out was at the office of Nick Harding the CEO of Prasepe at the time.

"We were approached by a family that needed a wheelchair for their 8-year-old daughter who could not get one from the NHS. We gave her a chair, and within five minutes, she was driving the chair around Nick’s office. The 8-year-old little girl wanted to say thank you. 

"Suddenly there were 50 people in that room who all shed a tear. She seriously touched everyone’s hearts. Families are always appreciative.

"We get letters from people telling us what the children have been doing with their wheelchairs. When they go to school, it is a game-changer too. The difference it makes is huge and our funders know that.” 

What are some of the biggest hurdles CHIPS has faced in its fundraising efforts, and how have you managed to overcome them? 

“We simply cannot supply enough chairs. The children or rather the family, have to meet the criteria of the charity. There is a means test, which is not that difficult for families to complete. The children are usually referred to us by our suppliers. They know the children who need the chairs through the NHS occupational therapists throughout the country. There is a waiting list.

“We get immense pride and pleasure when we see the results with children overcoming their own difficulties. It changes the lives of the families too. Suddenly, Mum or Dad don’t have to push a wheelchair. 

"I remember chatting to a Mum after we had given her child a wheelchair. She glanced down and the child was gone. They were wreaking havoc in the hotel and Mum just cried with joy seeing the freedom the child had. It is the right of every child.”  

How do you think the casino industry can improve its public image, especially in relation to charitable endeavours like yours?  

“I have no idea why there is such a negative image for the casino industry. I don’t know what the industry can do. I think the industry can do things in a very public way and keep going with the regulators. 

"I have tried to ask local MPs to come to some of the presentations, but I guess it is not for them. We have always been very heavily involved in the legal side of the industry. 

"We were the first non-US company supplying roulette wheels to Las Vegas. We had to be regulated in every state in the US.”  

You mentioned advancements in wheelchair technology. Could you provide examples of specific innovations and how they have improved the mobility and independence of the children you assist? 

“The wheelchairs are not bog standard. Each chair is specially made for each child. They are assessed comprehensively. It is a huge effort from all concerned. The chairs now are so high-tech, they can be operated via a mobile phone. There have been vast changes in the design and technology. 

"When we first started, they were powered. We supplied one for a young person recently and she was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. She pressed a button on her phone and the wheelchair moved to her.”  

How do you engage with the casino industry and the wider community to raise awareness about the needs of disabled children?

“We have been lucky. We still have people playing golf with us who played 30 years ago. This year we sold out faster than we have ever done. Some are new players. 

"We always hand over two wheelchairs on the day of the event, so they get the opportunity of seeing where their money has gone. Every penny goes to supplying the wheelchairs; we all work voluntarily. We are trying to open up our golf tournament to online gambling and gaming companies. 

At present we have some incredible sponsors, including some of the giants in the gambling industry like Rank Group, Hippodrome Casino, Aspers Casino, Genting Casinos, and Cammegh, amongst others, which can be found on our website.

 “The reaction to seeing these children is incredible. Last year and this year, two recipients asked if they could make a speech. They can say what they are feeling much better than I can. 

"These guys have been playing golf all day, and they come in to see these children being presented with wheelchairs. When they get the wheelchairs, these children can do things that everyone else takes for granted.”  

There is criteria families must meet to qualify for assistance from CHIPS. How do you ensure that the process is fair and transparent?  

“We are a registered charity, and we now have a greater demand."

"The cost of the wheelchairs has risen astronomically. When we started, the wheelchairs cost £1700. Today, you are talking around £9,000 plus. 

We do work with other charities that part fund. I had an application in last week for a chair that would cost over £30,000. As long as we have the money in the bank and the child fits the criteria, we will go with it."

"Our trustees work tirelessly and voluntarily.  We also have some great industry sponsors. Every aspect of what we do can be found on our website.”  

About CHIPS

CHIPS provides powered wheelchairs for children who would otherwise have no way of getting around on their own. CHIPS funds the wheelchairs that the NHS cannot or will not provide and that the parents cannot afford to buy. 

Thanks to the UK gaming industry, CHIPS has raised over £3.5 million and has presented over 700 wheelchairs to youngsters.  There are, however, many more children who need their help.