Surrey school children compete in new-look Para Games event
Jeremy Hunt MP for South West Surrey, officially opened the first Surrey Para Games today with participants from Surrey schools enjoying the sun and first class sporting facilities.
The event (previously known as the Waverley Para Games) took place at The Charterhouse Club in Godalming, supported by Games Ambassador, Paralympian Rachel Morris MBE.
Over 130 young SEND students (aged 11-14 years) from schools throughout Surrey took part in a variety of sports including cricket, football, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, boccia and sitting volleyball.
Jeremy Hunt MP said: “I set up the Waverley Para Games in 2013 after that glorious afternoon when the Olympic Torch came through Godalming and we all wanted to bottle up the magic and keep it. The Waverley Para Games then became our South West Surrey Olympic legacy, with strong support from Rachel Morris our local paralympic hero.
“This year we decided to move it to the next level by making it Surrey-wide and moving it to the summer. The new date allowed us to make the most of the wonderful facilities of our venue sponsors, Charterhouse Club and expand the range of sports on offer inside and out. This was a risk but we had firm foundations on which to build and continue to develop this now county-wide, annual event and it seems to have paid off.
“The Surrey Para Games would not have been possible without the on-going generosity of COINS Foundation and the DFN Charitable Foundation. I must also acknowledge the invaluable contribution that the event organisers, Active Surrey make to the smooth running of the day and my thanks too go to Charterhouse Club and Sport Godalming.”
David Forbes Nixon from the DFN Foundation added: “The DFN Foundation and COINS Foundation are delighted to continue supporting this event. It is becoming a firm fixture in the sporting calendar for Surrey schools and the enjoyment of the participants is evident. It was great to be able to expand the range of sports this year and utilise the amazing outdoor space.”