Inclusive sports event for local people with disabilities.

Sutton are proud to host the second annual Paralympic Festival on Wednesday 20th June at Sutton Arena in the year of the London 2012 Games.

This inclusive sports event will offer a range of sport activities led by a team of professional coaches for people of all abilities to take part in throughout the day. There will be athletics, dance, boccia, football, basketball, cricket, cycling and much more. The purpose of the event is to ensure the legacy of the London 2012 Games and to achieve this many of the sports activities will be available as courses after the event.

A partnership of community organisations work together to organise this event free for local residents and service users with learning difficulties and disabilities. The partnership includes; Orchard Hill College, Carshalton College, Sutton Mencap, Sutton Inclusion Centre, Sutton Council, Team Sutton, Stay Active Everyday, Sutton Arena, Glenthorne High School and Crystal Palace FC Foundation.

We are delighted to have the continued support of local, Gold Medallist Paralympic Athlete, David Weir MBE, who this year has pre-recorded an interview with Sutton students to be shown at the festival’s opening ceremony.

The Paralympic Festival is being held at Sutton Arena Leisure Centre, Middleton Road, Carshalton, SM5 1SL, on Wednesday 20th June 2012 with the Opening Ceremony commencing from 10.00am and activities until 2.00pm.

The Worshipful the Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, Councillor Sean Brennan will welcome all visitors to the event at the opening ceremony, which will feature a rhythmical drum band and a dance display from local high school students.

Carshalton resident and former Olympic Boxing Champion Bob Wells will be at the event displaying his medals and spending time talking with visitors about his achievements. Mavis Peart OBE, previously an elected member of Sutton Council for 20 years and currently Chair of Corporation at both Carshalton College and Orchard Hill College will be presenting medals to participants at the closing ceremony. Mavis is very active in the voluntary sector particularly as Chair of Sutton Mencap and has a keen interest in special education needs (SEN).

Last year over 400 participants attended the event and we anticipate some 600 visitors this year.

Based on information supplied by Michelle Mackay.