His firm builds and provides prosthetic limbs and supports, and B.D. Mitchell owner Bryan Mitchell has shown he鈥檚 got a lot of heart too.

The firm has been recognized by the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society with the Outstanding Community Support Award, for donating $10,000 over five years to the Comox Valley Wheelchair Sports Society.

The local club honoured B.D. Mitchell this week, presenting the owner with an appreciation plaque, along with a little basketball coaching while in a wheelchair.

鈥淭his really relieves the stress of finding funding,鈥� said CVWSS president and coach Stephane Roy. 鈥淲ith this in place, we can focus on playing and all the benefits that brings.鈥�

Mitchell believes it鈥檚 important to give back to the communities that support his business, he said. The firm is based in the Central Island, with a full clinic in Comox, a prosthetics-fabrication facility and clinic in Nanaimo, and satellite offices in Campbell River and Duncan.

Mitchell feels connected both because he鈥檚 local, not a giant corporation, and he plays sports too.

鈥淪port is so valuable,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the camaraderie. I know how fulfilling it is to have a healthy community and to enjoy a community of sport. We want to support that.鈥�

Wheelchair basketball keeps bodies active and fit, but also promotes mental health through both exercise and socializing, Roy said.

鈥淲ithout weekly wheelchair basketball, some players would not get out at all,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone should be active in some sport. For many of us, who have been injured, are older, or otherwise challenged by disability, this is it.鈥�

Apart from weekly practices, the club is working toward hosting its second annual First Responders Hoopfest, set for Nov. 17-18. Police, ambulance, fire departments and more in the area will be invited to field wheelchair basketball teams, playing against each other for donated prizes.

For information, contact Roy at 250-897-6082.