Just hours before tonight’s opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, Ilford is celebrating the coming sporting feast today.
In Ilford town centre, shoppers and visitors have had an early opportunity to try out Paralympic events including boccia, goalball and wheelchair basketball.
In boccia, competitors try and land balls close to a target ball and in goalball, visually impaired athletes roll the ball at speed towards the opposition’s goal.
Teams of children rolled around on wheelchairs in the shopping area this afternoon and tried to shoot hoops in a basketball game.
There is also due to be performances from the Golden Years Dance Troupe, which has five members who carried the Paralympic Torch, and the Spare Tyre Band.
Arts sessions were being held and the Frenford Clubs for Young People, which is based in The Drive, Ilford, is showcasing its wheelchair basketball and disabled multi-sports opportunities.
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