At The Window Company, we care deeply about our community, which is why we were honoured to provide Deaflympics fundraising support for local athlete Genevieve O’Hara. Genevieve, who was born and raised in Trafford, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo. However, with no government funding available for Deaf athletes, she and her team must raise an astonishing £64,000 to cover travel, training, and other essential expenses.

The Deaflympics is a hugely significant event, offering Deaf athletes a chance to compete on the world stage. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Genevieve, and we believe she—and other dedicated athletes like her—deserve all the support they can get.

 

Understanding the Deaflympics

The Deaflympics is a long-standing global competition, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Unlike the Paralympics, which includes athletes with a range of disabilities, the Deaflympics is exclusively for Deaf competitors. Due to the reliance on spoken commands in many Olympic sports, Deaf athletes do not have the same opportunities to compete unless they have an additional disability qualifying them for the Paralympics.

This event showcases the best of Deaf sports talent from around the world, offering an inclusive platform for athletes who might otherwise be overlooked. From football and athletics to swimming and martial arts, the games allow competitors like Genevieve to demonstrate their incredible dedication and skill.

Despite its rich history, the Deaflympics remains underfunded compared to other international sporting events, leaving athletes to rely on community sponsorship and fundraising initiatives to make their dreams a reality.
 

Local community support

At The Window Company, we firmly believe in giving back to the community we live and work in. That’s why we donated £500 to Genevieve’s campaign through our Recycle and Reward programme, helping her move one step closer to competing in Tokyo.

Supporting local causes is at the heart of what we do. Over the years, we’ve raised over £30,000 for grassroots teams, local schools, and community projects across Manchester. Seeing someone like Genevieve represent Great Britain is exactly the kind of initiative we are proud to support.

We encourage other local businesses to do the same. Whether it’s through direct donations or fundraising events, every contribution brings Team GB’s Deaf Women’s Football Team closer to their much-needed target.

 

 

The Recycle and Reward programme

Our Recycle and Reward programme allows us to generate funding for local initiatives by recycling old uPVC windows rather than sending them to landfill. When we remove old windows from customer homes, the materials are carefully sorted and recycled, allowing us to generate approximately £600 per month.

But we don’t stop there. We’ve committed to topping up this fund to a minimum of £10,000 annually, ensuring we can consistently support meaningful local causes. From grassroots sports teams to community centres, the programme provides much-needed funding where it’s most valuable.

To learn more about Recycle and Reward visit our website and see how sustainable choices can directly impact local fundraising initiatives like Genevieve’s.

 

 

How you can help

Genevieve still needs significant financial support to make her Deaflympics fundraising support efforts a success. If you’d like to contribute, consider donating to her fundraiser directly through her GoFundMe.

Even if you’re unable to donate, sharing her story on social media or reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship can make a difference. Every small act of support brings Team GB’s Deaf Women’s Football Team closer to representing their country in Tokyo.

 

Conclusion

Supporting athletes like Genevieve isn’t just about sports—it’s about fostering inclusivity, celebrating talent, and showing that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to reach their full potential. By getting involved in Deaflympics fundraising support, we can help fight funding challenges and ensure these incredible athletes get the recognition they deserve.

If a local business like ours can make a difference, imagine what we can achieve together as a community. Could you be the next person to help Genevieve on her journey to Tokyo?