To mark 500 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games on 17 April, Sainsbury’s today launched its ’1 Million Kids Challenge’ to get children involved in Paralympic sport ahead of London 2012.

Trying out Sitting Volleyball at the launch of the 1 Million Kids Challenge

The company, an Official Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, is aiming to make Paralympic sport more accessible by supplying free equipment to schools, enabling children to give Paralympic sports a try for the first time.

The 1 Million Kids Challenge is a part of Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme providing learning resources for young people to find out more about the Games and explore the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

At a launch event at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, children from schools in the Get Set network got the chance to sample Paralympic sports including Sitting Volleyball and Goalball, and meet Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds MBE.

Speaking at the event, London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe said: ‘Today we are here to launch the 1 Million Kids Challenge; just one of many initiatives by Sainsbury’s which will help us to promote the London 2012 Paralympic Games to the public. With just over 500 days to go till the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the support across the UK is incredible and Sainsbury’s is a much valued stand-alone partner of the Paralympic Movement.’

All of the schools participating in the challenge will be eligible for additional rewards and benefits, such as access to London 2012 Ticketshare tickets.

Sainsbury’s has also unveiled their Paralympic Legacy Fund, which aims to promote healthier and more active lifestyles for young people. Set up in conjunction with the British Paralympic Association, the scheme will also support athletes at the Paralympic Games and beyond.
The first initiative around the fund is the launch of a newly-designed Paralympic Games shopping bag, which is available in Sainsbury’s stores. Profits from the sales of the bag will go to the fund.

Anyone who is interested in trying out a Paralympic sport can contact Parasport, an organisation which has been established to make it easier for the public to learn about and participate in these sports in their local communities

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