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# Burntwood business develops new product to help Paralympic sport become more accessible
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-business-develops-new-product-to-help-paralympic-sport-become-more-accessible/
- Published: 2024-10-10T06:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-10-08T12:23:15.000Z
- Description: A Burntwood packaging business has developed a new ramp to help make a sport more accessible.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Burntwood, Business, Sport, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:53, News

A BURNTWOOD packaging business has developed a new ramp to help make a sport more accessible.

Lesters worked with Loughborough University and Boccia UK to come up with the new lightweight and lower cost piece of equipment.

The Paralympic sport sees participants propel a ball with the aim of getting closest to the jack.

Some players use a ramp, with Lesters utilising a special strength corrugated fibreboard to create a “grassroots” option that it is hoped will boost participation in Boccia.

A design team led by Greg Burton turned an initial concept into reality in just 18 months. He said:

> “Team GB secured its first gold medal in Boccia BC4 category when Stephen McGuire beat off the challenge of his Columbian rival in the Paralympics final in Paris – this was a real milestone moment for the sport and interest has rocketed ever since.  
>  
> “Boccia ramps are traditionally heavy and expensive, making it difficult for coaches and athletes to transport them. The brief was for us to come up with a lighter, more affordable option that offers the same durable performance.  
>  
> “While our core activity is large format boxes, we have significant knowledge of cardboard and its properties, which includes strength, versatility and the fact it can be fully recycled.  
>  
> “Utilising the skills of our design team, state-of-the-art design software and prototyping table, we were able to deliver a solution that met all of the requirements and, importantly, could be sold for as little as £10.”

The new Boccia Ramp is robust and light enough for multiple ramps to be carried by a single coach.

It easily fits into the boot of a car and comes in a flat pack, allowing it to be set up in a matter of minutes.

Dr George Torrens, senior lecturer in industrial design and assistive products at Loughborough University, said:

> “Having a transportable and affordable solution means that not only national associations can provide more ramps into schools and leisure centres, but coaches can have increased access too.  
>  
> “And it opens the sport up to new avenues – care homes for instance – where sports participation can be a useful tool in keeping people fit and active.  
>  
> “Through the challenges I’ve presented to Greg, I’ve tested his capabilities as a designer and between us we’ve pushed the limits of what packaging manufacturing can do.  
>  
> “The results are not only sustainable, but low-cost and affordable in these times of austerity.”  
>  
> “The fact that Lesters is completing the project as a not-for-profit philanthropic activity, just adds to the sense of working with people and a business that care about their community.” 

The new Boccia Ramp will be available to buy in the near future through the Boccia UK website.

Greg added:

> “To our knowledge this is one of the very few times that corrugated fibreboard has been used to manufacture a product that isn’t just used as packaging.  
>  
> “It could open the floodgates for the industry and designers to use more of this sustainable medium in the future for other applications.  
>  
> “We didn’t stop with the ramp, taking some of the lessons we learned in this project and applying them to an all-inclusive golf game. This is also proving hugely popular.”