Chance for New Forest children to meet sporting leading light (From Romsey Advertiser)

Chance for New Forest children to meet sporting leading light

5:30pm Monday 26th March 2012 in Education

IT will be a chance for hundreds of special needs children across Hampshire to meet their sporting heroes.

Light a Lantern Paralympic Flame Festivals are being held at various venues in the county in the run-up to the Paralympic Games in London later this year.

The first festival will be staged at the Colors Youth Centre in Long Lane, Holbury, next Monday.

Children and young people with special needs will have an opportunity to meet wheelchair rugby ace Aaron Phipps, who competes for Team GB.

Southampton-born Aaron’s awards include the Hampshire senior disability sports person of the year title, and recently gained a silver medal at the European Championships in Switzerland.

Aaron, who grew up in Totton, started wheelchair racing in 2007 and switched to rugby two years later.

The Holbury event will include two sports due to be played at the Paralympics, which begin on August 29.

Boccia involves wheelchair users throwing leather balls at a white target. Goalball is a contest in which visually impaired athletes attempt to roll a ball into the opposition’s goal, dodging rival players.

Jackie Hilton, who runs special needs services, said: “People attending the event will be making lanterns and taking part in various sports.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to feel part of the Paralympics.”

Guests will include Alexis McEvoy, county councillor for South Waterside and vice chairman of New Forest District Council.

The event starts at 10am.

Entry is £2 per child, which which includes a souvenir T-shirt.