Through its grant programmes the Trust endeavours to make life easier for the disabled, to improve their quality of life, and to promote integration with the able bodied. Disability Sport England For its Ann Rylands Special Project In 2001 the Trustees decided to encourage sport for the disabled. One charity among several who were successful in bidding for funds was Disability Sport England, to whom the Trust provided support over three years for the National Mini Games. These events are for children aged 7-12 years with all disabilities who want to try sport, often for the first time, with the emphasis being on taking part and having fun. The outcome The Games were an overwhelming success. Stoke Mandeville Stadium was a typical venue, hosting approximately 100 children over one weekend. The sports included Polybat, Table Tennis, Boccia, New Age Kurling, Swimming and some Track and Field events. For many of the children it was their first experience of the world outside of school. The occasion brought together disabled children from both special and mainstream schools, who might otherwise have missed out on the opportunity to participate. How the outcome met the Trust’s aims The Trust’s grant enabled Disability Sport England to offer disabled children a life-changing experience, and the opportunity to develop a continuing interest in sport which would enhance their quality of life. Sue Ryder Care With its Ann Rylands Special Project in 2005 the Trust aimed to provide grants which would enhance the life experience of people dependent on long term residential care due to complex physical and mental disabilities. The award of £250,000 enabled Sue Ryder Care to install specially adapted technology and software at its seven neurological centres around the United Kingdom, This made it possible for residents, living with severe neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, and Stroke to overcome  their great difficulty in communicating. Calvert Trust Exmoor The Calvert Trust offers specialist activities for the disabled at three centres around the United Kingdom. They challenge disability through outdoor adventure, and provide specialist activities, independence training and rehabilitation and respite care. The core activities are based on water, mountains, and horseback, and the charity offers its services at below cost, with bursary places for those most in need. It looks continually for ways of providing opportunities to stretch those who come to the centres, and the Trust supported the Exmoor centre with a grant of £100,000 to assist its plans to construct a Ropes Course, an outdoor Riding Arena, and indoor Sports Hall, an indoor Climbing Wall, and to upgrade its infrastructure. Children's Trust, Tadworth This charity provides residential short term care, long term or palliative care, special education, and therapeutic programmes for children with multiple disabilities, severe brain injuries, and complex health needs. The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust has been a long term supporter of its important work. Recent grants have been £80,000 towards equipment required for new residential accommodation, and £124,000 for the treatment and medical suite in a new rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injury.