Viatris employees join forces to build wheelchairs for communities in need
Hatfield – November 21, 2025 – Viatris UK, part of global healthcare company Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS), came together with the Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF) and former GB athlete Ella Beaumont today, to construct and assemble sports wheelchairs for children and young people living with disabilities. According to the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Whizz Kidz, more than 1,000 children are waiting for the right wheelchair or piece of mobility equipment (1). Viatris is a leading volume supplier of medicines in the UK (2), and through the efforts of their European, philanthropic programme “#BuildingHealthierCommunities”, will bring lasting relief to children and their families.
Over the course of the day, employees spanning Viatris’ local and global business units, came together to assemble wheelchairs, working side-by-side with representatives from the Herts Disability Sports Foundation, who shared their lived experiences and expertise. The initiative not only delivered practical support in the form of mobility aids, but also fostered greater understanding and awareness of the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing and joining in sports.
Melissa Fisher, Country Manager for Viatris United Kingdom explained: “Our Building Healthier Communities initiative goes beyond building sports wheelchairs – it’s about creating opportunity and enabling access to movement. We’re proud that our employees are contributing their time and energy to make a tangible difference, and we are grateful to Herts Disability Sports Foundation and Ella Beaumont for partnering with us to bring this initiative to life.”
The sports wheelchairs will be distributed to charities and individuals across the UK, many of whom face barriers to mobility and limited access to assistive technologies. For recipients, the chairs represent more than physical support – they provide freedom of movement, access to sport, and the chance to take part in inclusive activities that build confidence, wellbeing, and connection with others.
“At HDSF, we believe access to sport changes lives – it builds confidence, community and independence,” said Ros Cramp, Charity Director at Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF). “Partnering with Viatris allows us to reach even more young people and families who too often miss out. These sports wheelchairs aren’t just equipment, they’re enablers of inclusion.”
Ella Beaumont, personal trainer at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the paralympic movement, and herself a former GB athlete added: “As someone who relies on a sports wheelchair, I know how transformative the right equipment can be. It’s not just about taking part – it’s about unlocking potential, chasing goals, and experiencing the pure joy of sport. The right chair gives you the freedom to push beyond limits and the confidence to believe in what’s possible. Seeing so many people come together to build sports wheelchairs is a powerful reminder of how access can spark opportunity, ambition, and dreams.”
Viatris’ #BuildingHealthierCommunities initiative aims to engage employees across Europe, together with healthcare partners, in social and environmental projects that create visible impact within the local communities they serve. Every initiative – from volunteering to fundraising – helps strengthen communities and improve lives. This year, across Europe, more than 50 events have taken place, involving over 1,700 colleagues volunteering more than 4,800 hours of their time to local causes. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, Viatris was also recognised as a Great Place To Work (3) in the UK for 2025 and a Top Employer (4) in the UK for the third consecutive year, which is a testament to the company’s continued dedication to creating an excellent workplace that puts people first.
(1) https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/childhood-cant-wait/stories-of-childhood-on-hold/
(2) Based on internal analysis by Viatris using data from the following source: IQVIA MIDAS® Monthly volume sales data (units) in the UK for the period MAT July 2025 reflecting estimates of real-world activity. Copyright IQVIA. All rights reserved.
(3) https://www.greatplacetowork.co.uk/certified-company/1575849
