A LEISURE centre is hosting an annual sports festival for people with disabilities. 

Tidworth Leisure Centre will be hosting the 2024 Wiltshire Sports Festival on Thursday, February 22.

Organised by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, the free event will provide people with disabilities with a life-changing opportunity to experience a number of different sports, while learning from a team of local sports coaches.

The event is open to anyone over the age of five with a physical disability and is a great introduction to the many benefits of wheelchair sports.

Confirmed sports so far include, table tennis, boccia and golf, with more to be announced soon.

In addition, all participants will receive a free WheelPower T-shirt and a packed lunch will also be provided.

Emily Weller, head of sport at WheelPower, said: "We are really excited to be returning to Tidworth again in 2024 and bringing the opportunity to play and enjoy sport to local disabled people.

"We hope that by attending the festival you will feel more confident to continue your sporting journey in your own communities.

"We know that being active and playing sport really does have the power to transform lives, so whether you are a first-timer or returning after a break then we would absolutely love to see you in Wiltshire next month."

One of the children who attended last year’s festival was seven-year-old Ted from Devizes who has cerebral palsy.

His parents said: "Ted lives for sport and is a very active child. He was so excited about coming along today and had been counting down the days.

"He had a great time and said afterwards that it was ‘the best day of his life’. Not only has he loved playing the games and trying a sports wheelchair but it’s also been good to meet people and he’s made lots of new friends."

Emily, 32, travelled to Tidworth from Winchester and "really enjoyed" her day with WheelPower.

She said: "Everyone was so friendly and I would definitely recommend these sports festivals to anyone who wants to try out some wheelchair sports, meet like minded people and just have a good day out.

"I loved trying basketball, tennis, and the fencing was really good too. Thank you WheelPower for coming to Wiltshire, I’m already looking forward to the next one."

The Wiltshire Wheelchair Sports Festival from WheelPower is open to both groups and individuals, and a free booking can be made online www.wheelpower.org.uk/sport-events/wiltshire-sports-festival

For more information about this event, email sport@wheelpower.org.uk or call the WheelPower sports team on 01296 395995.