Disability sport celebration marks ten years

RMBC Deputy Chief Executive Linda Fisher (back second left) joins staff and participants to celebrate the Sunsport celebration

Sunsport is a multi-sports activity programme that runs throughout the holiday periods and includes sports such as sailing, climbing, fishing, trampolining, judo, swimming and many more. It is funded by Rochdale Borough Council's Children with Disabilities service and organised by Link4Life and Rochdale Gateway Leisure Ltd.

Rounding off a busy summer of weekly activities, the party brought together over 100 young disabled people, parents and carers from across the borough. Activities included a magic show, circus skills, trampoline and painting. Food for the event was donated by Rochdale restaurant Perito's and Morrison's Supermarket.

The event was also an opportunity to raise money towards a new accessible minibus and £360 was collected from raffles and cake sales.

Linda Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive at Rochdale Borough Council said of the event, "I was pleased to have been invited to Sunsport's 10th birthday party. Speaking to parents whose children attend these programmes you can see how much they are appreciated.

"The staff at Link4Life are dedicated to the work that they do and Sunsport is certainly making a difference."

Link4Life's Disability Development Officer, Graeme Hill, was delighted by the attendance on the day. "We have managed to develop and extend the Sunsport programme and families now have grown in confidence to support their sons and daughters at activities. As a result we are able to increasingly use Link4Life's mainstream facilities and this has a real benefit in terms of helping to build the young people's confidence and independence."

The next Sunsport holiday programme will take place in October half term. Any families who want to be involved can contact Graeme or Amy Taylor at Link4life on 01706 926203.