Falinge Mini Olympics
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Sure Start united to hold
a day packed with an abundance of fun and games as part of National
Play Day 2012.
Organised at venues across the country, thousands of children
got involved in National Play Day activities across the UK– the
ultimate goal being to make sure that as many youngsters as
possible can enjoy the fun!
Aimed primarily at children under the age of 12, National Play
Day events combine great fun with the development of skills.
RBH Community Action Worker, Khalida Crossley said: “National
Play Day is a fantastic event which encourages our children and
families to get together and enjoy themselves.”
She added: "Playing is not simply about having fun – it also
encourages creativity and improves social skills.”
There was also an impressive raffle with the help of some
generous donations of toys and vouchers from the Lower Falinge
Activity group, Wilkinson’s and Tesco. All proceeds will go towards
more play equipment for Falinge.
With the nation gripped with Olympic fever it was a fantastic
opportunity to encourage youngsters to get involved in
outdoor sports and games. It would be hard not to be inspired by
the lighting of the Olympic cauldron; a duty normally entrusted
with former Olympic heroes, but this time bestowed upon those
identified as potential stars of the future!
All that enthusiasm was evident as children and families
participated in sack races, egg and spoon races, a giant pass the
parcel, football skills workshop, making art and crafts and a star
hunt.
Sure Start Play Development Officer Greta McDonald said:
“National Play Day is a great opportunity to raise the profile of
play and the success of the event at Falinge Park highlights how
play can be used to bring a community together.”
Falinge Adventure playground Senior Dorne Cloran said: “It was a
lovely day and a big success. Youngsters from across the Falinge
area, along with parents and carers congregated on Falinge Park to
take part in our own mini Olympics. Thank you to the Groundwork
staff and volunteers who helped on the day with the activities and
selling cakes they had baked.”