The aim is to encourage one million children from across the UK to get a taste of the excitement of the Games by trying out a Paralympic sport. Through its Paralympic Games partnership, Sainsbury’s aims to make Paralympic sports more accessible by supplying free sports equipment to schools so children can give Paralympic sports a try for the first time.
Over fifty London school children were joined by LOCOG chair Seb Coe, Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King, Paralympic gold medalist Ellie Simmonds MBE, secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt MP, and BPA vice-chair Ann Cutcliffe.
The children were given the chance to sample Paralympic sports such as sitting volleyball, goalball and visually impaired football at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
The schools taking part in the event were all members of the Get Set network, London 2012’s reward and recognition scheme for schools and colleges.
All of the schools participating in the Sainsbury’s 1 Million Kids Challenge will be eligible for additional rewards and benefits, such as access to London 2012 Ticketshare tickets and visits from athletes by joining the Get Set network, London 2012’s reward and recognition scheme for schools and colleges across the UK.
Justin King, Sainsbury's CEO said: ‘As part of the continued commitment to promoting a healthy, active lifestyle, we are delighted to launch the 1 Million Kids Challenge, an initiative that will give children from communities all over the country the chance to get involved in sport ahead of London 2012 Paralympic Games’.
LOCOG chair Seb Coe added: ‘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’.
Sainsbury’s also announced its Paralympic Legacy Fund, an initiative that will support Paralympic athletes as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle at London 2012 and beyond.
The first initiative around the fund is the launch of a freshly designed Paralympic Games shopping bag, which is available in Sainsbury’s stores, with profits from the sales of the bag going to the fund.
Published: 15/04/2011
Soure: http://www.sportindustry.biz/news/view/9587/sainsbury%27s-sets-1m-paralympic-target
