SHOPPERS at The Valley can celebrate the Beijing Paralympic games with the launch of a pop-up wheelchair friendly synthetic rink.
Managers at the centre hope it will attract many keen wheelchair users to come and experience curling, for the majority, for the first-ever time. The temporary facility will be free to use throughout the games which kick off today (Friday).
The pop-up event is in partnership with CPISRA (Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation) who is a leading international sports organisation promoting sport for Cerebral Palsy and related neurological conditions.
Commenting on the project, shopping centre director Phil Maclean said: “We know that disabled people were disproportionally affected during covid, with fewer opportunities for physical exercise.
“We hope this experience will provide a meaningful and fun outdoor activity for wheelchair users. When the sport is beamed to all our televisions, I think it would significantly enhance the viewing experience knowing you’ve had a go yourself”.
CPISRA CEO and President Craig Carscadden, said ‘This is truly commendable to see a commercial entity in The Valley promoting sport and seeing the value of providing opportunities for the wheelchair community.
“We are all excited for the start of the Winter Paralympic Games, as are many of our supporters’.
The event will promote the work of CPISRA with organisers raising vital funds for the charity.
More information about CPISRA and The Valley can be found via www.cpisra.org and www.thevalleyshopping.co.uk
