AN ALBION fan can continue to play Powerchair football in his beloved blue and white stripes thanks to a life-changing donation from a local casino.

Damien Hill, 19, has already competed in a number of regional competitions for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Powerchair team.

But up until now the Brighton teenager has never owned his own chair.

Football-mad Damien, who has Cerebral Palsy, struck lucky this week when Rendezvous Casino presented him with a specialist, high-powered chair worth £7,000.

For Powerchair football players, the chair is like a standing player’s boots.

Yet after months of loaning a chair to ‘experience’ the game, players are expected to find the money to buy their own.

The casino’s generous donation means Damien can now continue his dream of competing in Powerchair football for Albion in the Community.

Damien said: “I was never really confident until I started playing sport. At school I used to just have to sit on the sidelines and keep score, I had no idea that taking part could be so empowering and so much fun.”

Damien’s mother Michele said: “He’s only been involved with the club for a few months but it’s given him a new found confidence and outlook on life that is so refreshing and lovely to watch.

“We are incredibly grateful to staff and customers at the Rendezvous Brighton for their fundraising efforts, and for empowering Damien to pursue a hobby that really has been life changing for us all.”

Rendezvous’ donation is part of the casino’s support for gaming industry charity CHIPS, which provides powered wheelchairs for disabled youngsters.

The charity provides wheelchairs for children who could not otherwise afford their own or get one on the NHS and has raised more than £1.2 million and presented over 400 wheelchairs to youngsters.

Junior Garrod, marketing manager at Redezvous Casino at Brighton Marina, said: “It is incredibly rewarding to give such a life-changing gift to a local youngster. Damien is clearly a very talented Powerchair football player and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to help him pursue his passion. We take great pride in our charity work, especially when it comes to supporting our local community.”

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Powerchair Football, also known as Power Soccer is a competitive team sport for people with disabilities who use power wheelchairs.

The game is usually played indoors on a basketball court.

Two teams of four players use powerchairs equipped with footguards to attack, defend, and spin-kick a football in a bid to score goals.

Brighton and Hove Albion has two Powerchair football teams - BHAPFC (Brighton and Albion Powerchair Football Club) and Seagulls.

BHAPFC currently play in the Premiership at both national and regional level in the WFA League. Seagulls currently play in the Championship in regional competitions.