Southview School from Witham won a highly competitive Panathlon Challenge today at Braintree College, against 3 other schools in Essex.
The multi-sports competition event took place today, Thursday 24th November at Braintree College and saw around 100 disabled children from Tendring, Colchester and Witham taking part in 5 sports. The students from Marketfield School, Shorefield School, Lexden Springs School and Southview School will be competed in Boccia, Kurling, Polybat, Table Cricket and Athletics.
Southview won 4 out of the 5 events and came 2nd in the other ! A remarkably strong performance from the Witham School.
The event was funded by investment from Hilton in the Community Foundation, Jack Petchey Foundation and the Woodland Group. Additionally Hilton London Stansted and Woodland provided staff members as volunteers for the day. The Panathlon charity has invested around £25,000 thanks to this funding in sports equipment, coaching sessions and multi-sports competitions in Essex during 2011, creating sporting opportunities for disabled youngsters in ten school sport partnership areas.
The Panathlon Challenge is now in its twelfth successful year of delivering sporting opportunities and “mini-paralympic” type competitions for young disabled sports people.
Danny Crates, Paralympic Champion and Panathlon charity patron says:” I’ve witnessed some great Panathlon events in the last year and the performances by young disabled athletes have been inspiring. The investment from Hilton in the Community Foundation and the Woodland Group is making a huge difference to hundreds of disabled young people in Essex.”
Robert Watts, Manager of the Hilton London Stansted said, “Our community work is an important part of our hospitality philosophy and our team is thrilled to be able to support Panathlon as a result. Giving these young people the opportunities to show their talents and skills is the best possible way for us to show our support for them.”
