Falinge Mini Olympics

Falinge Mini Olympics

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Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Sure Start united to hold a day packed with an abundance of fun and games as part of National Play Day 2012.

Organised at venues across the country, thousands of children got involved in National Play Day activities across the UK– the ultimate goal being to make sure that as many youngsters as possible can enjoy the fun!

Aimed primarily at children under the age of 12, National Play Day events combine great fun with the development of skills.

RBH Community Action Worker, Khalida Crossley said: “National Play Day is a fantastic event which encourages our children and families to get together and enjoy themselves.”

She added: "Playing is not simply about having fun – it also encourages creativity and improves social skills.”

There was also an impressive raffle with the help of some generous donations of toys and vouchers from the Lower Falinge Activity group, Wilkinson’s and Tesco. All proceeds will go towards more play equipment for Falinge.

With the nation gripped with Olympic fever it was a fantastic opportunity to encourage youngsters to get involved in outdoor sports and games. It would be hard not to be inspired by the lighting of the Olympic cauldron; a duty normally entrusted to Olympic heroes, but this time bestowed upon those identified as potential stars of the future.

All that enthusiasm was evident as children and families participated in sack races, egg and spoon races, a giant pass the parcel, football skills workshop, making art and crafts and a star hunt.

Sure Start Play Development Officer Greta McDonald said: “National Play Day is a great opportunity to raise the profile of play and the success of the event at Falinge Park highlights how play can be used to bring a community together.”

Falinge Adventure playground Senior Dorne Cloran said: “It was a lovely day and a big success. Youngsters from across the Falinge area, along with parents and carers congregated on Falinge Park to take part in our own mini Olympics.

"Thank you to the Groundwork staff and volunteers who helped on the day with the activities and selling cakes they had baked.”