Gold medal-winning Paralympian Aaron Phipps opens new all-inclusive play area at Longdown Activity Farm
GOLD medal-winning Paralympian Aaron Phipps MBE carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open an all-inclusive outdoor play area at Longdown Activity Farm.
The equipment includes a wheelchair swing and accessible playboards.
The British wheelchair rugby champion, who took gold at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, said: “Allowing children who have a disability to play alongside those who don’t helps to break down barriers in society as we work towards making the world a more inclusive place.
“I am amazed by the inclusivity that has been achieved at Longdown, as a farm is not a venue often associated with accessibility.”
A long-term champion of the assisted needs community, Longdown Activity Farm owner Mr Pass revealed: “Our long-running assisted needs educational programme has given local students the confidence to develop practical and social skills using the farm as a facilitator.
“During 2012, we installed a Changing Places unit with adult-sized equipment, which gives those that need the facility the dignity and privacy that we all enjoy. However, it is the latest edition of the all-inclusive play equipment that gives us the greatest pleasure – the sight of the happy, laughing faces enjoying the wheelchair swing is simply priceless.”
During the opening ceremony, Bryan and Dawn announced that the accessible play area has been dedicated to the memory of Sam Burnage – a very special little boy who loved to visit the Farm.
The all-inclusive play area was built by Phil Lovelock and Matt Harris of Apex Outdoor Spaces with the help of Pete and John Gulliver and a team from Hunts agricultural contractors.
Mr Lovelock said: “Matt and I were delighted to work on such an important project. It has been challenging at times, and the extreme weather held us up, but we delivered the finished area just inside our given deadline. It’s so rewarding to see the happiness that this project has created.”
Aaron said he was “amazed” at how farm owner Bryan Pass and wife Dawn had managed to create such a special place.
