The John Maclean Foundation (JMF) exists to change the lives of young Australians who use wheelchairs.

JMF is a registered charity founded by legendary wheelchair athlete John Maclean OAM. John is the first wheelchair athlete to have completed the famous Hawaii Ironman triathlon and is the first wheelchair athlete to swim the English Channel. He has represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and continues to set the standard for what is physically possible for a wheelchair athlete.

JMF exists to improve the quality of life for young Australian’s under the age of 18 who use wheelchairs. The foundation provides financial assistance to purchase items such as new wheelchairs, vehicle and house modifications, surgery and medical assistance, computers, remedial aids or any item that improves the quality of life for the child and their family. JMF provides support on a national basis and assists children who experience paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and similar conditions.

JMF supports families whose children desperately require our support. In many cases the families are surviving on extremely low incomes and Government assistance and incurring extraordinary costs associated with the welfare of their child.

The foundation’s mission is to inspire, motivate and enable physically challenged children to live their lives to the fullest. We recognise and encourage each child’s abilities and harness their abilities to achieve extraordinary things on their own terms. We are an advocate for the cessation of the word “disability” and believe that is has negative connotations for the development of children with special needs. The term “disability” is not welcome in the house of JMF. Just try and tell John he is disabled – you’ll get an interesting response!

The John Maclean Foundation comprises a seven-person board of leading Australian business people, public figures and medical professionals. JMF holds official charitable status with the NSW Department of Gaming and Racing and is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient.

More information about the John Maclean Foundation is available at jmf.com.au