Leisure@cheltenham hosts multi-sports activities for young disabled people

Following on from the hugely successful Paralympics, young local disabled people are being given a chance to try their hand at multi-sports activities at leisure@cheltenham thanks to NHS Olympic Legacy funding. NHS Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Borough Council have worked together to provide a grant of £2,000 to Cheltenham & District Sports Association for the Disabled (CDSAD) to enable them to continue to hold a number of sporting activities for disabled people. The first activity to take place is an archery session on Saturday 17 November at 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Richard Gibson, strategy and engagement manager, said: “Our partnership with NHS Gloucestershire is really valuable and we have worked with them to make sure that local projects get the financial support they need. The project put forward by Cheltenham & District Sports Association for the Disabled really caught our eyes and we knew that given the success of the Paralympics, this would be a fantastic project that would support local residents.

Sally Belcher, Honorary Secretary of CDSAD, added: “We are so pleased to receive this funding as it gives us the opportunity to show the vast range of sport opportunities for people with disabilities. The first session to be held will be archery with further dates booked for the rest of the year.”

Councillor Rowena Hay, cabinet member for sport and culture, commented: “We are committed to providing a range of sporting facilities for everyone in the town. Sport should be equally open to people of all ages and all physical conditions who simply want to get fitter and take advantage of the health improvements that an active lifestyle brings. We are delighted to be able to work with NHS Gloucestershire to provide the funding and host these sessions.”

The archery session is for 8 to 18 year olds and takes place on Saturday 17 November between 1.30 and 2.30pm in the sports hall at leisure@.

Further sessions are booked for 17, 24 November and 8 and 15 December. Indoor tennis is confirmed for 24 November between 1.30-2.30pm. The activities are yet to be confirmed for the other dates. The sessions are for 8 to 18 year olds. For further information contact CDSAD on cdsad@gardnerbrown.co.uk.