Two severely disabled contestants from south Herefordshire have won gold medals at the Bob Cook Memorial Games at Swindon the mini-Olympics for the mentally and physically disadvantaged.
Ross-on-Wye Lions Club had hoped to take a coach-load of disadvantaged people to the games on Sunday, August 9.
Unfortunately, and despite a lot of interest being shown by clubs and organisations around the county, only two contestants were entered.
Organised and supported by the Lions Clubs of District 105W and held at the County Ground, Swindon, the games have been running for a number of years.
Sue Huff receives medals from Martin Ruddle.
The two local contestants were severely disabled Sue Huff with her carer Ella, and Roy Jackson with his carer Rachel, from First Key Hereford.
With three Ross Lions, Mel Middlecote, Martin King and press officer Bernard Fowkes, they set off in a mini-bus for an adventure they could not have envisaged, and had a glorious time in lovely weather.
The two could hardly have dreamed of such an introduction to a sporting adventure.
Joining about 200 other contestants from a wide area, including two bus-loads from Coventry, others from such places as Cardiff, Porthcawl, Barry and other towns across Wales, and towns from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, all accompanied by members of their local Lions Clubs, they were welcomed to the games by the Mayor of Swindon, who spent much of the day talking to contestants.
Sue and Roy, despite their severe disabilities, were entered in the bowls, shot put and wellie-wanging events. Sue came home with two gold medals and one silver, and Roy won a gold and a bronze.
Roy Jackson receives his medals from Martin Ruddle.
They were presented with their medals by the District Governor of Lions District 105W.
It was a heart-warming experience for the Lions and their helpers, too. Lion Bernard Fowkes said: “This was my first visit to the Games, and it won’t be my last. It will be a day I shall remember all my life.
“This is what Lions is all about and it gives us all so much satisfaction and delight.
“We would like to take a larger group with us next year.
“The Games will take place at Swindon on Sunday, August 8, 2010, so put the date in your diary.”