Paralympian Supports Community Games

Chris Holmes MBE, Director of Paralympic Integration for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, today visited Stourport Sports Club, Worcestershire.

Chris Holmes met organisers and participants of Community Games, a regional Legacy Trust UK programme to encourage communities to stage their own events in celebration of London 2012. He also met pupils from nearby Stourport High School and tried his hand at such activities as cycling, netball and athletics.

The visit marked a home-coming for the Kidderminster-born swimmer, who has won a total of nine golds, five silvers and one bronze medal at the Paralympic Games. He is now Director of Paralympic Integration for London 2012.

Community Games is a West Midlands-based programme that encourages people to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by organising their own community events. The programme is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Games.

Stourport Sports Club hosted its own Community Games on Sunday 11 September, where its four resident sports clubs delivered coaching and demonstrations in a range of activities.

Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012 said:“One of the privileges of my role at London 2012 is that I get the opportunity to travel around the UK finding out about some of the truly fantastic projects that are going on, inspired by the London 2012 Games. Today is one of those days and I’m delighted to be here in Stourport to take part in the Community Games. I’d like to encourage everyone here today and people from across the West Midlands Region to get involved, take the opportunity to apply for tickets for the Paralympic Games and come down to London for what will be a phenomenal summer of sport.”

David Moorcroft, Chair of the West Midlands for 2012 and 500m World Record holder said:"With less than a year to go until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games now is the time to think about how you are going to get involved. Organising your own Community Games is a fantastic way experience your own Olympic moment within your own community. Make sure you share your stories and tell us how you have been inspired on www.facebook.com/thegamesandme"

Moira Swinbank, Chief Executive of Legacy Trust UK said:
“We are delighted with the huge success Community Games has had across the West Midlands to date, and encourage communities across the region to get involved in creating their own legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by staging their own event. This is a fantastic project to be involved in and is contributing towards a lasting legacy from the Games right across the UK.”

Alexandra Mays, member of the Community Games Organising Committee at Stourport Sports Club, said “Community Games is a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together through the power of sport, using the vehicle of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The effective work of key partners within the Wyre Forest celebrates local sports provision and will also ensure the event becomes sustainable, and has a legacy after 2012.”

Tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are on sale until 6pm on Monday 26 September 2011. People can apply for tickets at www.tickets.london2012.com

Paralympian Supports Community Games