Who am I? 

My name is Paul and I'm a golfer. I am also an above knee amputee. I've represented England at disability golf many times, with a handicap of 14, and I've played on courses across Europe.  Golf has been of great help to me, not only physically but mentally as I live with PTSD.  As a sport golf has fantastic well being benefits and with a little support its accessible to all.

But I was stopped from using my own golf buggy on Hartswood golf course, because I could not provide a medical certificate to prove my disability. I'm suing the council for discrimination. Please contribute to my legal fund and share this page with your friends and family. 

Case Background 

When I was stopped I was told I needed to supply a Doctors note to Brentwood Council as to my impairment which would take several weeks. This kind of discrimination can't be allowed.

You can read more about my story as reported by the BBC here. 

Brentwood Council thinks it is alright to discriminate against Disabled People, who need to use buggies on Hartswood Golf Club. They are entrenched in hiding behind health and safety, they did not even understand their 'Duties' as to impact assessment of their own policies until I pointed it out. 

They then asked me to write them for them? Really?

These comments sum up Brentwoods Councils pathetic excuse: In its "Buggy Use Policy", England Golf, the governing body of amateur golf, says it "wishes to encourage the participation in golf of all players regardless of disabilities".

This, it says, is in accordance with its obligations under the Equality Act.

Cae Menai-Davis, co-founder of the Golf Trust, a charity that works with disabled groups to make golf more inclusive, commented: "Golf is a sport for everyone. Making it difficult for a disabled golfer to use a buggy isn't just bad policy, it is bad business. There is a huge untapped group of people with learning and physical disabilities that want to play the game and will benefit hugely from it."

This is about more than just this case

Sadly, discrimination of this kind is far too common in the UK. 

I am bringing this case so that other golfers do not have to face this bigotry.

But I also want to hold the council for account so that disabled people seeking to access services and facilities across the country are not treated in the same way. This case is not engineered for gain but highlighting how 'Reasonable Adjustment' can help include disabled golfers.

"I can't believe that in 2018, such petty administration rulings causes such discrimination. Paul has the support of everyone at The Social Golfer community and my own personal support!"                                       Ian Mullins - Managing Director

How much am I raising and why?

I'm seeking to raise funds to cover potential costs that may be incurred during my legal action against the council. Any unused funds will be used in accordance with CrowdJustice's unused funds policy to fund similar legal action.