News Date: Thursday 1st February 2007
Tim champions Equal Access to sport for disabled people
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has given his backing to the English Federation for Disability Sport's campaign to create and extend access to sport and physical activity for disabled people, "Count me In." The campaign is particularly focused on encouraging all sporting organisations to demonstrate a commitment to giving disabled people the same rights to sporting and recreation activities as non-disabled people.
Tim commented:
"With now just five years to go before 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games, the opportunities for disability sport have never been greater. I am pleased to lend my support to the work of the English Federation for Disability Sport who work to promote the needs of disabled sportsmen and sportswomen and ensure that disabled people all over the country enjoy the same sporting opportunities as non-disabled people.
Tim continued:
"The campaign is also calling upon the Government to seek ways to promote and support the increasing development of equal access to recreational facilities for disabled people. At this time of excitement and anticipation of the world's greatest sporting event coming to these shores, we should all be working to ensure that it is something that we can all take part in, leaving no-one behind.
"I would strongly encourage the people of East Worthing and Shoreham to register their support for the campaign, which can be done online at www.efds.net. EDFS are aiming to achieve a total of 10,000 signatures by March so please get signing!"
ENDS
Note to Editor:
1. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) was established in 1998 as a charity acting as the umbrella organisation for disability sport in England.
2. EFDS recently launched its "Count me In2 campaign which seeks to promote organisations involved in the provision of sport, physical activity, or recreation that can demonstrate a commitment to giving disabled people the same rights to sporting opportunities as non-disabled people.
3. The campaign can be accessed at www.efds.net. By the end of January it had attracted more than 4,000 signatures, but EFDS has set a target of achieving 10,000 by March 2007.
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