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Testimonials
I think it is a fantastic charity. The more people, of all abilities, that you can get involved in sport and health and fitness in a fun and engaging way can only be a good thing. And to have this event at the London Aquatics Centre is just another example of the legacy of London 2012
Tom Daley
There was nothing like this available to me when I was a kid. I wish I’d had the opportunity that these children have got. What Panathlon are doing is brilliant and I’m really happy to be here and try to inspire these kids to keep doing it.
Richard Chiassaro, Team GB wheelchair racer and Panathlon patron
It’s fantastic what Panathlon does for disabled children. When I was first disabled and in a mainstream school, PE was really limited and the teachers didn’t really know what to do with me. If Panathlon had been available to me then, it would have helped me a lot for sure.
Freya Levy, a member of the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team
The atmosphere that Panathlon creates is awesome. These people here are playing to win and it’s nice to see that attitude amongst them. I think it’s important that everybody has the chance to compete and take part at whatever level they want to.
Steve Brown, Team GB wheelchair rugby captain at London 2012
Panathlon is always fun, but it’s not just about playing games. It’s about competing for your school against another school. The kids feel proud about that and want to do well. They love it.
Helen Turner, triple Paralympian wheelchair basketball player and Panathlon patron
I’ve been coming to Panathlon events for years and what never ceases to amaze me is how much enjoyment the athletes get from the competition and how competitive they are. But what is truly amazing is how the event has now grown. With over 200 events a year now, Panathlon really has cemented itself in the sporting calendar.
Danny Crates, Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder in the 800m (T46) and Panathlon patron
The Mayor and I are delighted to be supporting the Panathlon Final, the culmination of a year-long programme of fantastic sporting activity. The Panathlon Foundation do incredible work that benefits thousands of young disabled Londoners and their appearance at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a fitting finale to the year.
Kate Hoey ex -MP Commissioner for Sport
I am inspired by the work of Panathlon and it gives me great joy to see the happiness on the young people’s faces.
Sir Jack Petchey CBE
Panathlon provides an opportunity for disabled children to mix with others and experience competition; which is so important. Every person in the team matters and has a contribution to make to the final points score. Participation in sport sets you up for life, and every child should be encouraged to get involved.
Liz Johnson, Paralympic swimming champion and Panathlon ambassador
It is fantastic to see Panathlon going from strength to strength every year, helping to inspire young people to get involved in sport. Grassroots competitions such as this are crucial if we are to achieve our goal of building a lasting sporting legacy in London from the 2012 Games.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
I am proud that partners such as Panathlon are delivering on our vision of the Olympic & Paralympic Games boosting sports participation.
Lord Seb Coe, double Olympic gold medallist
The Panathlon Challenge is unique and I hope that many more young people have the opportunity to take part in the future.
HRH Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward
The Panathlon Challenge is a great way of encouraging young people into sport. I hope many more young people have the opportunity to compete in the future.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, multi-Paralympic gold medallist
If there’s anything that demonstrates an Olympic and Paralympic legacy, it’s this. Some of the legacy has got a bit lost along the way, but not here. That’s why I love it so much. There is no other organisation that puts on something this inclusive and this competitive. It’s completely unique and I love it.
Alex Brooker, star of Channel 4’s ‘The Last Leg’ and Panathlon Patron
I’m so excited to be going to the Copper Box. It’s a big honour. When I get older I want to be in the Paralympics and it feels like I’m one step closer to that dream.
Rebecca Cavanagh, aged 15, Barking & Dagenham
The Panathlon events have given our children opportunities to participate in sporting events they wouldn’t normally have. Our children gained so much from taking part in the recent bowling event; some had not even experienced ten pin bowling previously and you could tell from their smiles and laughter upon returning how much they had enjoyed the experience.
Gibside School, Gateshead
Panathlon is the one outlet for SEN swimming that enables children to test their skills in the water. Many aspects of the gala also link with the ‘ Development’ sections under the Ofsted framework.
Northfields School Stockton on Tees
Our school benefits from the Panathlon events because they give our pupils meaningful competition that is accessible to all abilities. All Panathlon events we have attended have been flexibility to tailor activities to the needs of our group so we can maximise pupil engagement.
Fox Wood School, Warrington
We are really lucky to have this Panathlon ‘resource’ which benefits our children so immensely. For them to be competing in the same venue where world-class athletes have performed just swells their pride.
Rushmere Hall, Ipswich
Our children couldn’t wait to get back to school and show all the children and teachers their trophies and medals. They walked around the school like the champions they are and that is all thanks to the Panathlon event and the organisers.
Southwood School, Barking & Dagenham London
We really value the Panathlon Challenge in the borough. Students from seven secondary schools make up the team. It is one of the most important events that we take part in every year. It’s a fantastic experience for all the children and year-on-year we strive to get better.
Elaine Burgess, partnership development manager for Barking & Dagenham
Before I started Panathlon, I wouldn’t even go away from home on my own, but now I’ll do it easily. Panathlon has made me feel a lot more confident. I think it’s brilliant.
Georgina Hart, aged 15, Barking & Dagenham
They’re a great little team. The day after a Panathlon you see them walking round the school with the medals around their necks looking so proud. They’re absolutely buzzing.
Lewis Sharpe, teacher at Kettlethorpe School
It gave them an opportunity to excel in a world that they otherwise find difficult. Giving them confidence and pleasure. I thought it was brilliant that parents were allowed to come and watch. It gave the children a real sense of pride – especially when they won. It also gave an opportunity for the children and parents to really share something at home, hopefully supporting great and positive communication.
Jane Campbell, teacher at Great Baddow School
You just can’t buy this: the competition, the interaction, the fulfilment the children get from it and, of course, their smiles!
St. James’s Place volunteer Jon Ellis
Thank you for hosting such a fantastic event. It was superbly well organised and had a lovely positive feel to the whole day. It was excellent experience for the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Felixstowe Academy
Panathlon gives us all a break from our normal day-to-day lives and it’s really competitive, which a lot of disabled people don’t get. It’s really important that everyone gets the chance to play sport. It helps people let off steam. When they get frustrated or wound-up, it means they can relax. It’s really good.
Sally McNeil, aged 16, Thurrock
Our kids just love the competitive spirit of Panathlon. There’s great sportsmanship here and they take part in every event with lots of enthusiasm. It’s wonderful.
Warren Marriott, upper school PE coordinator at Perseid School, Merton
I’ve really enjoyed Panathlon. It’s really helped me to be more confident and to get more involved in sport. A few years ago I couldn’t have imagined myself here.
Toyin Fabusiwa, aged 16, Croydon
The impact of Panathlon on our school has been massive, two and a half years ago, some of our children with various needs were simply not accessing competitive sports activities at all. Panathlon has opened up so many opportunities and really helps our kids to strive to be their very best.
Burnham on Crouch School, Essex
We’ve never represented the county in anything before, so that’s great. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students.
Brianne Hogg, PE co-ordinator at Riverwalk School, Bury
We have seen students taking part who normally would not like to venture out of school, it has developed their confidence, self esteem and physical / sporting skills by being a valued team member of Panathlon activities. Our students have gained many social and communication skills through mixing with other schools at the events.
Waverley School Enfield London
Today has really inspired the children to want to carry on swimming. They feel super proud knowing that they did the best for themselves but also their team. The feeling of, ‘Are we actually here and doing it ?’ resonated through everyone.
Towers Junior School, Havering.
There isn’t sport for all of our children at this level. We have a few students who do competitive sports with the mainstream children but, without Panathlon, there wouldn’t be a chance for the other kids to take part in competition.
Susanna Sutton, teacher at Mabel Prichard School, Oxford
“This morning they were so excited – I can’t even begin to describe it! There was a town crier on the train and he rang his bell to announce we were competing here to the whole platform!”
Sue Brown, Beckers Green
Panathlon is mega for our school. It’s very important that everyone gets the chance to play sport. It’s all about equal opportunities isn’t it? It’s great for the kids to show what they are able to do.
Cally Knight, special needs support assistant at Hounslow Heath School, Hounslow
What a brilliant event, we are so pleased to have had this number of schools from across the county involved and starting them up so young into the Panathlon programme
Phil Truby, an Events Officer from Yorkshire Sports Foundation
It’s great for the kids to have the opportunity to take part in sport. When I was a kid you would never have got anything like Panathlon. It’s only right that they get a crack at sport the same as any other kid. Sport is great for him.
Jim Reid, grandfather of Robert Walter, joint winner of the 2014 WNST Primary-Aged Achievers Award
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