Around 60 competitors took part in opened the first ever Rotary East London and Essex DisAbility Games last weekend.

The free athletic activities were held at Ongar Leisure Centre which were sponsored by seventeen local Rotary Clubs, including Redbridge, Woodford, Roding and Epping, and Epping Forest District Council.

Rotary’s Purple4Polio Ambassador British Paralympic wheelchair racer Anne Wafula-Strike MBE officially opened the games on Sunday, 19th May.

Mrs Wafula-Strike said: “We have got an opportunity and a chance to participate in sport today, sport is very important.

“I just really want you to enjoy, have fun, make new friends but also try to be a little bit competitive because that is what life is.

“You know you have to be competitive. So do your best, do your very best but have fun.”

The sports included were Boccia, bowls, table tennis, darts, bagatelle, stick ball, quoits, wheelchair slalom and new age kurling with the day concluding with a medal’s ceremony.

Other dignitaries attending the Games included Councillor Richard Bassett, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Alex Burghart Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar.

MP Alex Burghart said: “As you’ll know Disability Games is something that our country excels in and Anne is one of our champions in this area.

“Britain is the second most successful country in the whole history of the Paralympics….we also have some of the most extraordinary training facilities and engagement programmes.

“What we are seeing from the Rotarians today is part of bringing that emphasis into the community and giving opportunities to as many people as possible.”