6th August 2019

• For families with disabled children, the long summer holidays can be a stressful time. Finding accessible activities that all family members can enjoy together is a challenge for even the most resourceful of parents.

  There is one exception, however – our annual family fun day. Held every summer at Hillsborough Sports Arena, the event provides a unique opportunity for families to go out together, have fun and feel part of a community. Disabled children and their siblings can play together, while parents get a chance to relax and catch up with friends.

  This year’s event took place on the 26th of July and was, as always, massively oversubscribed. Almost 900 people requested tickets this year – but our budget only stretches to 320 guests!

  Highlights included bungee trampolines, bouncy castles, adapted cycles, a petting zoo with exotic animals, drumming and science workshops, and a variety of sports and craft activities.

  Many parents commented how relaxed and welcoming the event was – just right for children who don’t cope well with noisy crowds and long queues.

  We are grateful to Sheffield City Council for funding this event year after year. We stretch this funding even further by drawing on the support of our fantastic partner organisations. This year, HSBC, Henry Boot and Gripple allowed their employees to volunteer on the day, St Marie’s school and Hillsborough Trinity Methodist Church lent us their chairs, sports clubs and charities ran free activities, and a fire engine dropped by. And of course, our own volunteers worked very hard to ensure everything ran smoothly.

  You can see photos from the event on our Facebook page.