CMG was delighted to see the return of its annual Athletics Championship, with hundreds of individuals taking part in the one-day sporting event aimed at promoting inclusion and showcasing resilience and ambition.
This year’s championship, which was hosted at the David Weir Leisure Centre, saw Paralympian and two-time gold medal winner, Georgie Hermitage MBE, present the proud competition winners with their medals on the day, as well as providing all the participants with a great deal of encouragement. Alongside the friends, family and supported individuals, CMG was also honoured to welcome the Mayor of Sutton, Councillor Steve Cook, to the event – who was able to watch the races in action and speak with some of the individuals CMG supports.
The championship included a whole range of sporting events, from track, field, throwing and team ball games, as well as classics ‘sports day’ games including the egg and spoon rage, and the greatly anticipated Tug of War match between England and Wales.
As part of CMG’s strong commitment to promoting inclusion, a specialist bike company was also in attendance to provide bikes that support a range of accessible needs, with guests enjoying cycling around on hand and wheelchair bicycles, tandems and recumbent cycles. This year’s event also focused on the sensory side of engagement, with a specialist wheelchair obstacle course, wheelchair basketball match and a wheelchair race all providing competitive fun through touch, sounds and sight.
For over two decades, CMG has worked to support individuals with complex needs, including those with autism spectrum conditions, mental health needs, and profound and multiple learning difficulties. The Athletics Championships are central to their efforts to ensure the people they support develop their communication and team work skills whilst having fun and leading active, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Peter Kinsey, Chief Executive Officer of CMG, said:
“At CMG, we are committed to ensuring that the individuals we support have access to a wide range of opportunities and experiences, including taking part in our annual Athletics Competition. Every year, the event showcases just how resilient and inspirational the individuals we support are – as well as the day being really enjoyable for all. This year, we were delighted to see a strong sense of team spirit and togetherness, along with a healthy portion of competitiveness of course.
“I would like to extend my thanks to CMG’s staff, who rally together to make the Championships a success every single year. Not only does it demonstrate our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, but it leaves everyone with a great sense of achievement!”
