Going for gold at Mile End Stadium Photo: vallancecsa.co.uk

250 young people with special needs competed for trophies in track and field events this week as Tower Hamlets organised its own paralympic sports day at Mile End Stadium.

The sports day held on Tuesday 14 September was the culmination of an eight-week programme funded by the Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) Programme, which is run by Tower Hamlet council’s Youth and Connexions Service. Other organisations involved in the project included Stephen Hawking and Phoenix Special Needs Schools, the Tower Project and the Blue Skies Project.

Mary Durkin, Service Head for Youth and Community Learning said: “It’s great to see so many young people with a wide range of disabilities really taking an interest in sport and athletics – something we’re keen to encourage as an Olympic host borough.”

PAYP activities, which run every school holiday for young people aged 13-19 across the borough, aim to give young people the chance to develop new skills, make new friends, try new activities and improve their employment prospects. To find out what they’ve got on over the October half-term call 020 7364 0797 or visit search Tower Hamlets’ Family Services Directory.