Rochdale borough lights the way to the Paralympic Games

Light a Lantern workshops have taken place at Link4Life Big Games events across the summer to help light the way to the Paralympic Games on 24 August

With the excitement of London 2012 still in the air, Rochdale borough is joining the national invitation to light the way to the Paralympic Games which starts at the end of this month.

The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay will begin on Friday 24 August with the lighting of England’s flame. The UK’s other capital cities will light their flames over that weekend.

The flames will travel to Stoke Mandeville (home of the Paralympic Movement) and join together to create the Paralympic Flame before making the journey to the Paralympic Opening Ceremony on 29 August.

The local celebration will be held at Queen’s Park, Heywood on Friday 24 August starting at 5.30pm. Organised by Link4Life the event starts with a wide range of free sports taster sessions that integrates a number of disability sports. It is the final event in a summer of Big Games events celebrating not only London 2012 but also the International Year of Co-operatives and once again widespread support for the day has come from local clubs and groups as well as Rochdale borough council parks and youth services, GM Fire Brigade and the Friends of Queen’s Park.

Events will include accessible cycling, angling, BMX cycling, cricket, crown green bowling, football, mountain biking, seated volleyball, rugby, orienteering and tennis. Other fun activities include a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon modelling, cheerleading and the Commando Joe inflatable obstacle course.

The Light a Lantern finale will be led by the Mayor of Rochdale starting at 8pm with a performance from the Tantara Taiko Japanese Drummers and will end with a live performance in the park by band ‘The State’.

Event organiser, Link4Life’s Shirley Waller,  said: “We are inviting families to come along, bring a torch or light and join this celebration of the Paralympic Games. It’s a fantastic opportunity too to build on the excitement generated by the success of London 2012 and try out some of the many sports we have available in clubs in this borough.”

Link4Life are advising people to come dressed in sports or casual clothes with trainers or suitable shoes to take part in the events. And all lanterns and lights must be hand held and battery operated with no naked flames. The event will finish around 9.30pm.