Track stars were truly inspired during fun festival

Sporty stars were put through their paces during a two- day Inspire Athletics Festival at Dam Park in Ayr.

Up to 30 children and young adults took part as they honed their skills under the watchful eyes of coaches.

The project is the brainchild of GB para athlete Kayleigh Haggo, who is a multiple world record holder.

Kayleigh works for South Ayrshire Active Schools and helps develop disability sport across the area.

She said: “My project is called Inspire and I choose this name because having a disability myselfand sport being a huge part of my life- I want to inspire others and give others with a disability, or additional support needs, opportunities to allow them to take part in sport and physical activity.”

During the October school holidays, Kayleigh held a festival at Dam Park and the event was a huge hit.

Kayleigh said: “The festival was so successful, with 30 participants across the two days, that I am now planning for an athletics ( run/ push, jump and throw) to happen weekly at Dam Park for people with disabilities to come along to, have fun and be active.”

Kaylie Morrison, whose son Maslon took part, said: “Maslon really enjoyed going and taking part in the athletics festival!

“He loved using the race chair. It’s given him a new found confidence!”

And Rosemary Harkness added: “Both my boys attended both sessions of the Inspire Athletics Festival and thoroughly enjoyed it, we would be lost without these events.

“Euan even asked if there was one happening at the Christmas holidays!”

Inspire started in April 2019 in Girvan, but it’s now a South Ayrshire wide project.

In Girvan, weekly sessions include athletics, football and multi sport.

Kayleigh added: “We have also just started a Race Running and wheelchair racing club in Girvan and we now have seven athletes who come along to the weekly session, which is amazing.”

To find out more about Inspire events e- mail kayleigh. haggo@ south- ayrshire. gov. uk or check out the Inspire South Ayrshire Facebook and Twitter pages.

Having a ball These cool kids thoroughly enjoyed the Inspire Athletics Festival sessions at Dam Park

Exercise Limbering up can be fun before the rigours of indoor or outdoor sport

Smiles The look on childrens’ faces says it all- they had a great time at Dam Park

Sprint finish The finishing line is in sight and it’s a frantic dash to get there first

Jump to it Children were put through their paces in a fun and engaging way

Teamwork Kaiden Richardson and Chantelle Flynn

Looking good Maslon takes time out for a picture