PACE Withernsea Olympic Challenges
PACE – Withernsea Olympic Challenges – 7th & 8th August 2010
PACE has consistently raised awareness of mental health issues and stigma in the Holderness area over the past three years. Bringing innovative and well received physical health projects to the locality. PACE has provided a range of activities proving our ability to get mental health and wellbeing onto a main stream agenda.
With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching the project decided to run a number of initiatives and projects linked to culture and exercise in the run up to the 2012 events.
Our plan was to organise in partnership with other local organisations a number of mini Olympic events over the course of the year. Unfortunately the economic downturn has hit potential partners hard and we were left very much to go it alone.
This summer has seen an effort to engage with both our current client group and other people who would not normally access these types of activities but who may be further motivated by the Olympic ideal.
Our main focus events have been a highly successful Samba Soccer week at Hornsea teaching participants advanced ball control, tricks and moves.
Over the 7th and 8th of August we ran our biggest event at Withernsea inviting local people to engage in among others, Archery, Climbing, Raft building Disc Golf, and rowing.
The focus on Saturday the 7th was at the lighthouse playing fields where a Climbing wall was erected alongside Archery, Rowing and other fun activities the event enjoyed a turnout representing a cross section of ages from children to senior citizens.
On Sunday the focus moved to the turbulent North Sea for the Raft Race. Hull & East Yorkshire Mind had two entries both built at the Saturday event. There were big crowds of onlookers as eight brave teams took to the water. As if to highlight the theme of the day ‘Water Safety’ the life guards in attendance were kept busy scooping floundering raft crews from the waves.
Both Hull & East Yorkshire Mind rafts proved up to the task managing to get safely there and back again – without any loss of crew, but both were left in the wake of a strong Fire Service team who claimed an easy victory.
The event attracted a wide interest and media coverage was good by both local newspapers and radio, the PACE teams contributions impressed the raft race organisers and Hull & East Yorkshire Mind now have an invite to participate again next year. Thanks must go to Lee, Jack and Rhonda for great organisation and support over the weekend.
Les Rogers
Service Manager