March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness month, and the charity CP Sport is aiming to use the next few weeks to showcase and share its work across the UK.
Two to 2.5 in every 1000 children in the UK are born with cerebral palsy and there are an estimated 30,000 children with cerebral palsy in this country.
CP Sport is a leading national disability sports organisation which marks its 20th anniversary in 2021. It is focused on improving the health and emotional wellbeing of children and adults with cerebral palsy through physical activity, and engaging the community in a number of programmes and interventions.
Every year the charity gives hundreds of children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy the chance to access physical activity and social interaction that is an important part of sport.
However the pandemic has seen a dramatic downturn in activity and, as the Government announces a return to physical activity and sport over the next few weeks, it is important to consider those who have felt too anxious, scared or unable to exercise during lockdown. Exercise has been consistently encouraged during the pandemic as an essential part of our health and wellbeing. However, for people with a disability like cerebral palsy this is not so simple. They may need specialist equipment, a coach to support them or may have being shielding.
Evidence shows that disabled people’s lives have been the hardest hit by Covid-19. Accounting for two thirds of the deaths from Coronavirus, this is a national crisis for public health which is being felt most sharply by disabled people.
Adi Fawcett, Chief Operating Officer for Cerebral Palsy Sport, said: “We were pleased to see the announcement from the Prime Minister on February 22nd setting out the roadmap towards the end of lockdown, and to see sport and physical activity featured during each of the four steps towards June 21st and the removal of all legal limits on social contact.
“We will continue with our planning towards the delivery of events on the ground, taking into account the Government and national governing body advice and work with our partners to deliver events when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
“In the meantime, we will continue to encourage everyone to be active and stay socially connected through our virtual classes, cafes and events. We look forward to seeing everyone again and supporting our community in confidently returning to sport.”
To mark Cerebral Palsy Awareness month, CP Sport is encouraging members of the public to get involved in ‘Twenty Miles This March’ and help the charity reach and encourage more children and young people with cerebral palsy into being physically active.
Read more at cpsport.org
