The first ever Panathlon Challenge multi-sports events for young disabled people take part in Kent this week, with around 200 young disabled people taking part from 8 different school sport partnerships in 5 different sports.
The Panathlon Challenge has been delivering Paralympic type sports events for 10 years in London and Liverpool, and recently through charity grants received from BBC Children in Need and St. James’s Place Foundation, have been able to “expand” to the county of Kent.
Two events take place this week, one at Sittingbourne Community College on Wednesday 29th April for “East” Kent special schools, from the school sports partnerships in Chatham, Ashford, Sheppey and Thanet. On Thursday the other event takes place at The Malling School for “West” Kent special schools from Dartford, Malling, Tonbridge and Maidstone.
The Panathlon Challenge charity has already invested in to these school partnerships, specialised sports equipment, training days for coaches and teachers, and coaching funds totalling £16,000 this year. The four winning teams will qualify for the Kent wide Final to be held on July 1st.
Danny Crates, Paralympian Gold Medalist says, “Panathlon is an excellent example of young disabled people given the opportunity to compete in Sport at the level that is appropriate for them We thank the BBC Children in Need and St. James’s Place Foundation for their kind grant which has enabled many schools across Kent to benefit.” Danny carried the GB flag in to the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and is also a sporting patron of the Panathlon Challenge Charity.
