Panathlon final for Harrow (From Harrow Times)

Harrow reach Panathlon final

5:13pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

Harrow powered to victory in the West London Panathlon final beating off the challenge of Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing and Hillingdon to qualify for the London final in June.

The West London final took place at Featherstone High School in Ealing, with 102 disabled children from 15 schools taking part in six sports to see who would go forward to the London-wide final.

Harrow, represented by Shaftesbury, Whitmore, Kingsley High, won boccia, table cricket, kurling, polybat, and athletics field and races.

Hillingdon came second while Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham were tied in third.

Paralympians Helen Turner and Louise Sugden presented medals to the successful panathletes and inspired the children with tales of London 2012.

Janine Edwards, from Whitmore school in Harrow, said: “We had a fantastic day and are delighted to be going home in first place again. Our hard work has paid off and we are back in the London final in June.”

Panathlon is a charity which provides multi-sport competition for over 3,000 disabled children each year, predominantly across London and the south-east.

Back in April 2012, Panathlon Challenge participants were the first disabled athletes on the track in the Olympic Stadium, taking part in an official test event ahead of the main games.

Panathlon founder Ashley Iceton said: “With excitement still fresh from the London Paralympics, we are delivering real legacy to thousands of disabled children in London, competing at their very own version of the Paralympics.

“We would like to thank our main funding partners for the huge part they play in bringing sport and activity into the lives of these children.”