SOUTH West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has announced this year’s Surrey Para Games will be held on Wednesday, July 4.

The annual event, run in conjunction with COINS Foundation and The DFN Foundation, will again take place at Godalming’s Charterhouse Club.

Mr Hunt said: “Stronger involvement from national governing sports bodies and local sports clubs this year will allow children greater, regular participation in sport.

“It’s all well and good putting on a wonderful, annual event but we want children to regularly engage in sport and physical exercise – that has always been our ultimate goal.”

Sports promoter Active Surrey, which has been involved in the games as part of the school games programme, since its inception, will work with Hindhead special education needs school Stepping Stones, to make the 2018 event bigger and better.

The school, based in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former Undershaw home, in Hindhead, will take a leading role in the preparation in a bid to attract more participation.

Stepping Stones will be making school visits and hosting training courses with support from the games’ Paralympian ambassadors, who include Rachel Morris MBE, Olivia Breen – Liphook’s Paralympic medal winner from 2012– Lucy Shuker and international para dressage rider, Erin Orford.

The event is open to Surrey special education needs school pupils aged 11-15. Charterhouse Club’s facilities include a sports hall, several studios, a pool, outdoor athletics and astro pitches, enabling Surrey Para Games to expand its programme of sports on offer.

•Find out more – email Active Surrey’s [email protected]