The Rotary Club of Furness are celebrating the sponsorship of their second Panathlon event.
Martin McLeavy, RCF’s youth services chair, has coordinated both – with 2025’s event bringing in support from the Rotary Club of Ulverston, and this year adding backing from the Rotary Club of Furness Peninsula too.
“We became involved because we saw the opportunity to further help out in our local schools, knowing that many of our schools have a large number of SEND children,” says Mr McLeavy. “As youth services chair of RCF I saw this as a great cause which would benefit from our hard-earned charitable work and all our members agreed.”
This year hosted by Furness College, last month primary and secondary schools alike took part in the events across two days – with over 100 children taking part in the Primary Panathlon Pathway competition, and 24 more taking part in the non-pathway Key Stage 1 event. Three teams of secondary-school students competed in the Xtend event.
Mr McLeavy adds that everyone has had a wonderful time trying out all of the activities: “If I were to choose a favourite it would be the kurling: the children thoroughly enjoyed it and if I am being honest so did I, a sneaky go during intervals!”
He concludes: “Overall the whole event was great. The children enjoyed all of the activities and we had great feedback from the schools.
“It was brilliant to see the children having so much fun and we look forward to 2027.”
