On Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 2018 Cambridge charity Power2Inspire held – with the Friends of Histon Rec – the first ever Super Sensory 1K outside of London as part of the annual Impington Festival of Running.
Celebrating inclusion, getting disabled and non-disabled people to participate in physical activity together, the event, attracted 132 participants of all ages, abilities and disabilities.
Using the Running Festival’s 1km course around the perimeter of the recreation ground, showcasing the inclusive attitude of the Friends and their runners, there were 5 sensory stations along the route: one each for Smell, Sight, Touch, Hearing and Taste. All proved popular but there was particular enthusiasm for the Taste ‘tent’, the produce including cheeses, peas, lemon wedges and soy sauce donated by Burwash Larder. Thanks too to donations from Lush – some great smells; Asda – fruit and much-needed water; Holiday Inn – more lovely fragrances; and the Yarnbomber – delightful knitted items.
Participants ran (especially the younger ones), walked, wheeled or were pushed around the route so the warm, sunny weather was a blessing. It was such a success we are planning already for a repeat next year. If there are any other village or city events which would like to make their event truly inclusive and add a Super Sensory 1K or similar, do contact Power2inspire.
For further details about the charity, its work and a gallery of photos from the event, please visit www.power2inspire.org.uk
John Willis, founder and CEO of Power2Inspire, said: “When I was young it was normal for disabled people to be excluded from activity; now separate events are created. We want to change that dynamic and bring people together, so everyone can experience the thrill of participating in the same event. As can be seen from the joyful photos, there was ‘No one left on the bench’!”
Sally Gibson, Operations Manager at Power 2 Inspire added, “The Super Sensory 1k event was the first of its kind in the area. The extraordinary number of participants shows there is a real demand for inclusive sport and physical activity. Check out our other festivals and help us create more of these fun, inclusive days.”
