WheelPower, the national charity for British Wheelchair Sport based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, have been awarded £214,600 ($303,294/€271,647) in funding to help progress the plans of the Trust.

The Trust will be tasked with safeguarding and celebrating the heritage of the British Paralympic movement, by organising exhibitions as well as using online resources and educational programmes.

Among the key goals of The Trust, in its first year, will be to seek out memorabilia and artifacts from key organisations and individuals which form a key part of the movement’s history.

They will create a display at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, with public involvement encouraged.

The display will coincide with the Rio 2016 Paralympic Heritage Flame Ceremony at the venue on September 2.

“London 2012 was a catalyst to considerable positive change across the Paralympic movement,” said Tim Hollingsworth, British Paralympic Association (BPA) chief executive.

“Whether it be the increased celebration of the Games and our athletes’ achievements or an understanding of the fundamental role that this nation has played in its birth and development.

“The BPA is delighted to be supportive and part of a Trust that will collect and celebrate this unique heritage and joins the other members in thanking the Heritage Lottery Fund for its support.”

The Trust will seek to establish a permanent heritage site at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, while staging nationwide satellite exhibitions and temporary exhibitions at major events over the next five years.

A virtual museum will also be set up on the Trust’s website, with other outreach and education programmes also key in the forthcoming years.

One of their main tasks is to continue to promote positive public perceptions and greater understanding of disability, with the BPA, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and WheelPower among the founding members backing the Trust.

“The concept of a heritage organisation for the Paralympic movement has been an idea for many years,” said Martin McElhatton, chief executive of WheelPower.

“We are excited and delighted to be part of the new National Paralympic Heritage Trust and are now eager to develop our plans to share the inspiring legacy of Sir Ludwig Guttmann and the British Paralympic movement including a heritage centre at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, through touring exhibitions and a fully accessible Virtual Museum”.