Panathlon Challenge

July 2012

• Bury St Edmunds win Suffolk

  Posted: Friday 6th July 2012
  Category:

  Team Bury St. Edmunds have been crowned 2012 Suffolk champions !.

  The team, comprising pupils from Priory and Riverwalk Schools, finished level on 50 points with Ipswich, represented by Thomas Worlsey and Beaconhill Schools.

  However, they took the title after winning gold medals in one more event - boccia, polybat and field athletics events, compared to Ipswich’s two successes in the new-age kurling and athletics races. Babergh (Hillside School and The Bridge Campus) were third with 44 points.

  Panathlon has provided competition for over 2500 disabled children this year, predominantly across the south-east. The final was part of Suffolk School Games and took place at King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds. Young Leaders from Suffolk One College and Suffolk New College helped run the event.

  Panathlon founder Ashley Iceton said: “This was our first Panathlon Challenge in Suffolk and I’m delighted to report it was a huge success, with all the children relishing the opportunity to take part in a multi-sport event on one site.

  “We are all excited about the forthcoming Paralympics, and it’s more important than ever to remember that every elite athlete started playing sport while at school.”

  See the Blog section for more quotes from teachers, coaches and competitors !
  

  Ends
  
  Picture attached of winning teams attached. Contact simonlansley@connectsport.co.uk for more details

  Media enquiries to:

  Simon Lansley, ConnectSport 07973 595791 or simonlansley@connectsport.co.uk

  Ashley Iceton, Panathlon Challenge 01279 680980 or ashley@panathlon.com

• St.James's Place Foundation Invests !

  Posted: Monday 2nd July 2012
  Category:

  Panathlon is delighted to announce a three-year partnership with St. James’s Place Foundation through to 2014.
  
  This will see an investment of £265,000 to grow the infrastructure of the charity and establish new geographical areas of growth over the next three years.
  
  Mike Wilson, Chairman of the St. James's Place Foundation, said: “I am delighted that in our 21st year we are able to invest £265,000 to help improve the lives of so many young people and their families, through the work of Panathlon, especially at this time of economic challenge generally.”

  Panathlon Chair, and triple Paralympic Champion, Giles Long said: “We are delighted that St. James’s Place through its Sport for Good programme, will invest significant funds in young disabled people over the next three years. This will help Panathlon to expand its activities and geographical spread in the coming years.”
  
  As well as the annual programme of events which run from January to June, this year Panathlon Challenge participants have competed at the Olympic Stadium and Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympics. On April 1, they were among the first to compete on the new Olympic track at the Gold Challenge 'test event'.
  
  At the Panathlon London Final on June 14, 30 members of St. James’s Place Foundation were able to witness 250 disabled young people compete in eight sports and present the cheque to Ashley Iceton, founder of the Panathlon Foundation (See pic below).
  
  

  Ends - for more details please contact ashley@panathlon.com
  
  St. James's Place Foundation is the charitable arm of the St. James's Place Wealth Management Group, and started raising funds in 1992.   In the 20 years it has been in existence, it has raised in excess of £24 million.   It is providing £265,000 over a three year period to help Panathlon in its work, as part of a £2 million programme of support for young people over the next three years.   For more information, go to http://www1.sjp.co.uk/about-st-james-place/our-responsibilities/st-james-place-foundation.aspx