Harrow celebrates Paralympic countdown with sport stars

The public showcase is part of Harrow Council's community celebrations to mark the countdown to the Paralympic Games. Harrow is celebrating this milestone in this way, bringing together medal winning Paralympians, young Paralympic hopefuls and local residents.

Well-known athletes expected to attend include gold medallist, David Weir, MBE (athletics), Ali Lalani (Boccia) as well as members of the GB Wheelchair Rugby squad.

Portfolio holder for Community and Cultural Services, Cllr David Perry said:

"This is very exciting. Supporting and promoting both the Olympics and the Paralympic games is very important to us in Harrow. We want our residents to feel part of the build up so we have organised community events to encourage and foster that involvement.

It is also important to us as a borough of great diversity that we properly celebrate games for people with disabilities. I am proud that we have such great community spirit and initiative in Harrow and so much enthusiasm for the Games so far."

The town centre event is planned for Saturday 17th September outside the St George's Centre, Harrow from 10am to 3pm. Demonstrations of Paralympic sports, sports competitions, onsite promotions and a community celebration of the 2012 Games is planned. Featuring also will be a local disabled dance group, DanceAbility.

The event welcomes all members of the community to come along and take part in the games. It will also be an opportunity for residents to meet some of the country's 2012 hopefuls and the Paralympic Mascot Mandeville, who has been invited.

The Harrow event has been organised with the support of Aspire, a national training facility for people with disabilities based in the borough. The town centre event will be staffed by volunteers, Aspire staff and council officers, who will supply the public with publicity about local events and sports and will also sell Harrow's own unique Olympic badge.

Local shops and businesses have also been invited to enter teams for a series of mini competitions in seated volleyball and other paralympic sports.