All-star community physiotherapy sports day

Getting active is vital for our physical and mental health. It helps keep our bodies fit and strong while being fun and good for our brains. For people with physical limitations, it can be more difficult to get involved in organised sports.

That's why the Evelina London community physiotherapy team hold an annual fun-filled open day where children and young people with physical limitations can come and try a number of sports available in Lambeth and Southwark.

This year's event gave patients aged 5 to 17 the chance to try out activities such as yoga, cricket, running and taekwondo.

Evelina London paediatric physiotherapist, Elizabeth Steele, who helps organise the event, said: "Getting moving, trying new things and learning how to be part of a team are so important in helping children develop confidence and learn skills as well as building physical fitness. It's brilliant to be able to showcase to children, parents and carers the opportunities there are locally to get involved in a range of sports."

5-year-old Charlie Rae came with his mum, Camilla, to take part and find a new hobby. Camilla said: "It can be really hard to get a child with disabilities active, so this has been a great eye opener to see what Charlie could be getting involved in in Lambeth to help him grow to be stronger."

Hosted by the Surrey Cricket Foundation at the Kia Oval, the day also featured a special appearance by Rebecca Clarke, who plays for both the Surrey and Team GB wheelchair cricket teams. She explained to patients and their families how sport helped her build confidence and tackle challenges.

She advised attendees to "try lots of different sports and see what you like. If you don't enjoy the first sport you try, there are so many other ones out there. Every club should be able to adapt or accommodate to disabled people, and many coaches now have disability training."

She added that getting active doesn't even have to require a structured sport organisation: "there are lots of things you can do that don't require joining a team, such as playing in the park with your family or friends" and that once someone does find their sport "it's worth sticking with, because it will change your life."

The community physiotherapy sports day was made possible thanks to generous support from Evelina London Children's Charity. The charity is fundraising to help open the doors of Evelina London's new specialist children's cancer centre. Donate today and give hope to families when they need it most.