On Wednesday, Maidenhead United in the Community and the Maidenhead United Community Trust joined together in the London Irish Foundation's Annual Inclusion Festival. Wednesday aligned with International Day of Persons With Disabilities, celebrating a record-breaking year.
Alongside London Irish Foundation and Leisure Focus, we were delighted to welcome over 270 young participants, with a range of disabilities, from 14 schools across Berkshire. The participating children, many with complex needs, were supported by over 120 carers and 45 volunteers from Maidenhead United in the Community, St Josephs School and Bishop Wand School.
Maidenhead United in the Community coaches were tasked with delivering a number of games and activities ranging from walking football, to rugby and football target practice. Other activities on the day included Boccia, ring toss, beanbag toss and curling as the young participants rotated through 10 different sports across both morning and afternoon sessions. The children were then treated with a visit by the one and only Maidenhead United mascot, Yorkie!
The young participants were also lucky enough to meet some VIP guests on the day. One of which being Lucindha Lawson, who is not only an England Deaf Football and Futsal player but also a Maidenhead United Futsal player. Lucindha is fresh off the back of bringing home the bronze medal in the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. She was joined with European, Paralympic and World Champion Rower Benjamin Pritchard, Paralympian Jeannette Chippington and London Irish Rugby legend Topsy Ojo.
Maidenhead United Community Trust Manager, Helen Preedy said: "This is the third year we’ve run this event with the London Irish Foundation and Leisure Focus, and it really shows what can be achieved through strong partnership working—motivating young people with disabilities to get active while also helping our coaches develop their skills to better support them.”
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