Hundreds of residents from around Royal Greenwich took the opportunity to try out some new physical activities at the Everybody Active inclusive event at the weekend.
Activities providers gathered in a warm and sunny Hornfair Park in Eltham to showcase their sessions for all abilities, which saw many people take part in sessions such as adapted cycling, disabled cricket and boccia for the first time.
Wandercrust Pizza and Honest Feeder were also on hand to offer healthy food and snacks to energise them for the day.
The event, now in its third year, was organised by physical activity programme Greenwich Get Active, Motivate East and Royal Borough of Greenwich Health and Wellbeing to help those in the borough discover new ways to improve their overall health while having fun.
It also coincided with the unveiling of a newly-renovated basketball court, which then hosted wheelchair basketball lessons throughout the afternoon.
Several special guests gave up their time to experience the event, including Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Wellbeing, and triple Paralympian, three-time European gold medallist and Greenwich resident Andy Barrow.
Andy said: “It was a fantastic event. The sun was shining and the park was filled with activities for people of all abilities to try.
“People living with disabilities and impairments in the borough, like myself, were able to go along and find things they can do, rather than those they maybe can’t.
“The organisations and providers involved should be very proud that they can play such a huge part in improving the independence and wellbeing of children and adults across Greenwich.”
Emma Russell and Michael Gardner attended with their six-year-old daughter, Evie, who uses a wheelchair. They were thrilled that there was so much for their daughter to enjoy.
She said: “Evie had a fantastic day and had had a go at everything on offer. I’m so glad we had something like this to take her to. At the moment she goes swimming but Everybody Active enabled her to try so many other activities for the first time.
“She loves anything with a bat and balls and particularly enjoyed the wheelchair tennis, so that’s something we’ll definitely be pursuing with her. We’ve seen how sport and physical activity can help Evie both physically and mentally; hopefully it’ll continue to help others too.”
If you would like to find out more about the inclusive activities on offer in Greenwich, visit the Greenwich Get Active website.