Fun in the sun for children at Summer Access Day

The sun shone down on scores of children as they took part in Wednesday’s Summer Access Day.

Access Day is open to children with a wide range of disabilities from special schools and mainstream schools across Swindon. It aims to introduce children to new activities, which they may not have tried, or even heard of, before.

The free day took place at the County Ground athletics track and saw a number of local clubs and volunteers give up their time to run a variety of activities for the children to try out.

Around 160 children took part in the event, which was organised by Swindon Borough Council in partnership with advisory teachers.

The activities available on the day included: hockey (Swindon Wildcats), rugby (Thinus Delport) boxing (Scrappers Gym), martial arts (Success Martial Arts), football (STFC Football in the Community & Wims11), archery, seated dance, cycling, basketball (Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Club), croquet (Swindon Croquet Club), seated volleyball (SBC), running (Swindon Shin Splints), Boccia (SBC), Bouncy castle & American football (Swindon Storm).

A number of volunteers were also on hand to help children throughout the day including sport leaders from Commonweal and students from New College.

Cllr Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Access Day is one of the best events we organise throughout the year and you can see just how much it means to the children who take part by looking at the smiles on their faces. They are all brilliant and I hope they had fun in the glorious sunshine.                                                 

“We also receive fantastic support from a number of clubs on the day and my thanks once again go out to them for their help in making the day so special for the children.”