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To mark 500 days until the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, Sainsbury's, Official Partner of the 2012 London Paralympic Games, yesterday launched its 1 Million Kids Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage 1 million children from across the UK to get a taste of the excitement of the Games by trying out a Paralympic sport .
Through its Paralympic Games partnership and commitment to promote a healthy, fitter lifestyle across all ages and abilities, Sainsbury's aims to make Paralympic sports more accessible by supplying free sports equipment to schools so children can give Paralympic sports a try for the first time.
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe, Sainsbury's CEO Justin King, and London 2012 hopeful Ellie Simmonds MBE, were joined by children who were given the chance to sample Paralympic sports such as sitting volleyball, goalball and visually impaired football at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
All of the schools participating in the Sainsbury's 1 Million Kids Challenge will be eligible for additional rewards and benefits, such as access to London 2012 Ticketshare tickets and visits from athletes by joining the Get Set network, London 2012's reward and recognition scheme for schools and colleges across the UK.
In addition to the 1 Million Kids Challenge, anyone who is interested in trying out a Paralympic sport can contact Parasport, an organisation which has been established to make it easier for the public to learn about and participate in these sports in their local communities (www.parasport.org.uk/).
"Today we are here to launch the 1 Million Kids Challenge; just one of many initiatives by Sainsbury's which will help us to promote the London 2012 Paralympic Games to the public. With just over 500 days to go till the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the support across the UK is incredible and Sainsbury's is a much valued stand-alone partner of the Paralympic Movement," said Lord Seb Coe.
Ellie Simmonds MBE, Paralympic gold medallist and London 2012 hopeful added: "I am so excited to see so many kids giving Paralympic sports a go today and getting involved in the Sainsbury's 1 Million Kids Challenge. Sport is not only fun but also a great way to get fit. Sainsbury's is the perfect partner to get the nation involved in the Paralympic Games."
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