A 13-year-old boy whose para ice hockey sledge was stolen has been able to return to the ice thanks to a wave of public generosity.
Matthew, from north Lincolnshire, plays for the Sheffield Steelkings, one of the country’s leading para ice hockey teams. His custom-built sledge was taken when his family’s car was stolen during a trip to watch the Sheffield Steelers.
His mother, Victoria, had parked near the arena while taking Matthew and his brother to see the professional team play. When they returned, the car—and with it, Matthew’s vital piece of sporting equipment—had disappeared.
The theft left the family heartbroken. “It hit us hard. There were lots of emotions,” said Victoria. For Matthew, who lives with cerebral palsy, the loss was particularly devastating. “When I lost my sledge I was like, I don’t know what to do, I can’t train, and it’s my life,” he said.
Determined to help her son return to the sport he loves, Victoria set up a fundraising page. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Supporters donated more than £1,000—enough to replace the specialist sledge, which is manufactured in Canada, and even provide extra funds to support the Steelkings team.
“I just want to thank everyone who donated,” said Matthew. “It’s a shock—it’s a target we never thought we’d be able to reach so soon.”
The surplus donations will help the Steelkings purchase new equipment for their squad, strengthening the club that has been at the heart of para ice hockey in the region for over a decade.
Victoria, a nurse, said the outpouring of support has been “incredible”. “The love for Matthew has been amazing. I just want to thank people from the bottom of our hearts. Para ice hockey has changed Matthew’s life, and mine,” she said.
For Matthew, getting back on the ice means more than just sport—it’s belonging. “With the Steelkings we just forget about all the hard things everyone has to go through, and just enjoy ourselves for an hour,” he said.
Founded in 2014, the Sheffield Steelkings are the youngest team in the British Para Ice Hockey Association League. The club began with just a handful of players determined to compete in what was then called the British Sledge Hockey League. Despite early defeats, the team’s resilience paid off. By 2017, they had earned their first league win, defeating Manchester 10-2 in front of a home crowd at IceSheffield.
Their rise has continued since. The Steelkings won both the British Para Ice Hockey League and Playoff trophies in 2019, before going on to take the Northwest Europe Para Ice Hockey League title in 2022. The club now runs two teams—the senior Steelkings and their development squad, the Steel Stings—both training and playing from their IceSheffield home.
Para ice hockey, formerly known as sledge hockey, was invented in Sweden in the early 1960s by players who wanted to continue playing hockey despite physical impairments. Using metal sledges mounted on skate blades and short sticks with metal picks for propulsion, players quickly discovered a fast-paced, highly competitive version of the sport.
It became an official Paralympic event at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games, and the British Para Ice Hockey Association now governs the sport in the UK. There are currently five teams competing nationally, with players eligible to represent Great Britain at international level.
The Sheffield Steelkings embody the spirit of that history—fierce competition, camaraderie, and inclusivity. Their motto, “Hockey is for Everyone,” is more than a slogan. For young players like Matthew, it represents freedom, community, and purpose.
Victoria said that being part of the Steelkings has transformed her son’s confidence. “It’s helped him so much, not just physically but mentally,” she said. “Thanks to everybody, he’s going to get his dream back.”
The family hope their story inspires others to discover the sport and support inclusive clubs like the Steelkings. “We want to turn this tragedy into a massive positive,” Victoria said.
For Matthew, that positive is simple: being back where he belongs. “It’s made me feel I’ve got something to live for now,” he said, grinning. “It’s pretty good.”
The Sheffield Steelkings continue to welcome new members and supporters, encouraging anyone interested to visit IceSheffield to see para ice hockey in action. As their rallying cry goes: Hail to the Kings.
