Travel retailer Cyprus Duty Free has pledged a €8,000 donation in support of the Cannes wheelchair rugby programme taking place at the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.

First announced in June, the activity is part of the Sunday sports programme on 1 October. It is organised by research agency m1nd-set, supported by Puressentiel, and endorsed by TFWA.

TRBusiness is a media partner for the event.

In addition to driving awareness of the sport, the event will raise funds for the Stade Toulousain Wheelchair Rugby team (STRH). 

The charity coaches people with both mental and physical disabilities, and campaigns for disability inclusivity. 

Cyprus Duty Free’s donation will cover the cost of one specially designed rugby wheelchair. Total donations have so far exceeded €14,000.

A blind football competition is also taking place at the same time. 

Cannes wheelchair rugby: Industry must ‘think more seriously’ on disability

“We are strongly committed to inclusivity at Cyprus Duty Free and at ARI generally, and we believe disability inclusion is hugely important,” said Andrew Baker, General Manager at Cyprus Duty Free.

“There are a growing number of passengers with disabilities travelling internationally; the number is expected to triple to over 33 million passengers between 2019 and 2028. 

“This inclusivity initiative in Cannes is the perfect wake-up call for our industry to think more seriously about how we need to welcome them in our airports and travel retail environments. 

“We look forward to sending some of the team who will be in Cannes to join the programme and hope it will be inspiring for them too.”

TFWA World Exhibition attendees are encouraged to sign up to take part in the activity, with registration priced at €165 per person, or €825 for a team of five.

Further details and registration is available at the TFWA website. 

Peter Mohn, owner and CEO of m1nd-set, added: “We are extremely grateful for this very generous donation from Cyprus Duty Free. 

“This will be of enormous help for the STRH charity as the cost of acquiring, shipping and maintaining these extremely robust and specially adapted wheelchairs is significant. 

“We already have a number of teams and individuals signed up for the adaptable sports programme. We are seeking to recruit 60 participants in total to form 12 teams of 5 individuals. 

“There are still places left though so we are calling out to all industry friends and partners to sign up as we want to ensure we raise the maximum amount possible for the charity.”