Shooters celebrates National Paralympic Day across the country
Shooting venues all over the UK joined British Shooting to celebrate National Paralympic Day 2015 last weekend. A total of 17 clubs hosted sporting activities to celebrate the third year since the British public came together to make the home Games of 2012 the most successful Paralympics ever.
Nearly 200 members of the general public up and down the country registered to participate in shooting and sample the thrill of hitting a target.
One venue that hosted an event was Hannah’s Shooting Club in Devon, who had a free have-a-go-day with air pistol and air rifle.
British Shooting's Regional Development Activator and London 2012 Olympian, Gorgs Geikie, attended the Devon event and was delighted to see how many attended. She said:
“It was great to visit Hannahs and be involved with their's & British Shooting’s National Paralympic Day celebrations.
"I love the way the sport of shooting can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone together. I competed at the London 2012 Olympics and yet it’s a Paralympic event as well.
"I hope the NPD2015 coverage on television/in the media and events hosted around the country like the one at Hannahs, will help to inspire the next generation.”
Shooting is definitely a sport for all and that was highlighted no more so than when a mum of two attended Hannah's with her two daughters (one who is disabled),
The mother explained how difficult it is for her to find a sport that both daughters can enjoy together.
"I have two daughters, one has a disability and the other not," she said. "I find it so hard to find activities that they can both enjoy doing together.
"When we saw the piece in the newspaper about National Paralympic Day being celebrated at close-by Hannah's, we all jumped at the opportunity. Both my daughters adore sport, so Paralympic Day encouraged them even more to come.”
Wheelchair user, Sonja, who has MS, attended the Ferndown event and her feedback at the end of the session was fantastic. She said:
“It was the most amazing experience ever. I really enjoyed myself. Everyone was so lovely and friendly. I will definitely be back."
Secretary of Ferndown Shooting Club, John Gillingham, was delighted with the success of their event. He said:
"We had a steady stream of visitors throughout the day; which meant we could each provide one-on-one assistance and guidance.
"In total we had some 12 disabled people visit - three paraplegics; one quadriplegic (with very limited upper body ability); one lady with MS and others with limited limb ability/mobility and/or upper body strength.
British Shooting would like to thank all the clubs that organised an event to celebrate National Paralympic Day 2015. You can find all those who took part here:
Bideford TSC
Bolton Gun Club
Braunton TSC
Colchester Rifle Club
Deal and District Rifle Club
EJ Churchill
Fareham Rifle & Pistol Club
Felixstowe Rifle Club
Ferndown Gun Club
Hannah's
Hertford Clay Pigeon Shooting Club
Purbeck Shooting School
ShootAbility Norfolk
Tunnel Target Sports Centre
Whitewater Shooting Ground
Widdington Shoot
