Time to Shine for future Paralympic stars
Throughout the Easter school holidays, 13 – 16 April, 60 disabled children from five Olympic Host Boroughs (Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets) took part in ‘Time to Shine’, an event to increase young disabled people’s participation in sports and cultural activities
Hosted and funded by CLM, the Olympic Delivery Authority’s Delivery Partner and supported by charity WheelPower, the four day residential event introduced pupils aged seven to 11 years to sports such as Athletics, Track and Field, Basketball, Boccia, Cycling, Handcycling, Hockey, Polybat, Swimming, Table Cricket, Table Tennis and Tennis. Siblings, parents and carers of the participants also attended.
‘Time to Shine’ is in its second year and over 50 volunteers, coaches and support staff from WheelPower, CLM and Olympic Park contractors gave up their time to provide a safe and fun environment.
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ldren were joined by Paralympians Ben Rushgrove (100m silver medallist at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games) and wheelchair basketball star Clare Strange.
Mark Reynolds, Deputy Programme Director for CLM, who handed out prizes, said “Time to Shine is about encouraging disabled children to enjoy sport in a fun environment and it is an important way for us at CLM to give something back to people in the boroughs hosting the Games. The enthusiasm of the children as well as the hard work of the volunteers has made the event a huge success. It may even have inspired some of the participants with the dream of competing in a future Paralympic Games.”
Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower, added “With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games under three years’ away there has never been a better time to encourage more young people with disabilities into sport, art and culture. I would like to thank the boroughs for their support as well as CLM for helping us to provide the Time to Shine event to inspire these young people to achieve their dreams.”
A further event will be held 24-27 August for children aged 12-17 years, again at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The venue hosted the Summer Paralympic Games in 1948 and 1984.