Parallel inclusive sporting event to return to Windsor Great Park

An award-winning disability inclusion sporting event is returning to Windsor Great Park this weekend.

Registration is still open for Parallel Windsor, a day that welcomes all ages and abilities in a series of challenges involving walking, pushing and running.

Founded by Claudia and Andrew Douglass, the aim of Parallel is 'to be a lens into what society should look and feel like'.

Andrew said: "Our motivation is based on our own lived experience - Claudia is neurodiverse and I experienced my own father lose his long battle against Parkinsons Disease. We felt we could apply our own creativity and energy to help move disability from the margins into the mainstream.

"The response to our event has been phenomenal and I must highlight the Crown Estate, who have kind provided us with a tenancy in the Windsor Great Park and the residents, businesses and local authority across the Royal Borough, who have not only warmly embraced our event, but opened their arms to disability inclusion.

"There is something quite magical when people of all ages, health conditions, abilities and backgrounds come together to celebrate who they are in an environment of acceptance."

Their flagship event in Windsor will include the Disability Power 100m, the 1k, 5k and 10k and the Sunflower Super Sensory 1k.

Five-time Paralympic gold medallist, Ellie Simmonds OBE will start the Disability Power 100m challenge event and BBC broadcaster, Andy Stevenson will be providing live coverage as tannoy announcer on the day.

Andy, who is from Windsor, said: “I really support the messages of inclusion and integration which are at the heart of Parallel, especially in the spheres of sport and physical activity.

“I've always loved playing sport and ‘getting stuck in’ with my non-disabled friends & family and the spirit of everyone contributing whatever they can is exactly what teamwork is all about.

“My job now sees me report and commentate on a mixture of disabled and non-disabled sports and that combination is very important to me.”

Numerous ambassadors will be participating in challenge events such as Shani Dhanda, Sam and Mark Bullock, Lord Shaftesbury and Jo Grace.

All the challenge events start and finish on the Long Walk on Sunday from 10am onwards.

Participants who start the challenges will receive a medal, t-shirt and goody bag.

They are welcome to walk, push or run, and there are no finishing times, with the motto being ‘start together, finish whenever’.

Antiperspirant brand, Sure, is the headline sponsor and will bring dozens of sports organisations together such as Lord’s Taveners, Great British Racing and Get Berkshire Active.

A free Festival of Inclusivity is also on offer, with charity and festival partners bringing music, art and storytelling to visitors.

Attendance to Parallel Windsor’s Festival of Inclusivity is free, and registration remains open until June 30.

For more information and to register for challenge events, visit: www.parallellifestyle.com