Sutton Paralympic Festival 2012 June 2012

In June a number of service users made their way to Sutton Arena for the Sutton Paralympic Festival 2012, the year of the London Olympic Games. 

Events on the day, lead by a team of professional coaches, included athletics, dance, boccia, football, basketball, cricket, cycling and much more. The event was supported by local gold medallist Paralympic athlete, David Weir MBE who sent a prerecorded message as he was currently in training for the upcoming Olympic Games. Carshalton resident and former Olympic Boxing Champion Bob Wells was on hand displaying his medals and talking to the crowds.

The opening ceremony featured a rhythmical drum band and a dance display from local high school students which the service users enjoyed joining in with. They were also amongst the first 400 people to arrive so they received a goody bag and a commemorative drinking bottle!

Mavis Peart OBE, Chair of Corporation at both Carshalton College and Orchard Hill College and Chair of Sutton Mencap presented medals to all participants at the closing ceremony.  She is seen here presenting one of the service users with her medal. Everyone said they enjoyed the day and came home tired but very happy.