Disability charity Accuro (Care Services) is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a family fun day in Great Hallingbury, inspired by the Paralympic Games.
The Accuro Games will take place from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday, July 14 at Howe Green House School.
Members and their families, as well as the charity's friends, supporters and people in the community are welcome to attend.
Attendance is free, but guests can register beforehand at https://www.accuro.org.uk/event/accuro-games-2024/.
The event will feature a range of inclusive sports, as well as funfair games, face-painting, live entertainment and music and food and refreshment from Essex vendors.
Special guest Paralympian Richard Chiassaro, who is from Essex, said: "I am looking forward to being a guest at the Accuro Games and can’t wait to see everyone in action.
"Sport is life changing and it is charities like Accuro that offer those opportunities."
The High Sheriff of Essex David Hurst will also be in attendance, and will give our awards celebrating Accuro staff and service users.
Accuro's operations and development manager Amy Connelly said: "Having had a light bulb moment for this event in summer last year, it is so exciting seeing it all come together and even more so now that we have tied in Accuro’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
"I am confident that Accuro Games will not only be a memorable experience for all attendees but also make a meaningful impact for our members and their families.
"We can’t wait to see everyone there having a great time together."
Accuro began as three separate charities formed by parents of children with a disability, who were concerned by the limited opportunities for their children and the lack of access to respite care.
They formed Harlow Shared Care (HSC) in 1984, Respite Care in Uttlesford (ResCU) in 1994 and Special Needs of Children and Parents (SnoCap) - also in 1994.
Accuro currently provides 12 projects for children, young people and adults across Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest, while also offering respite care for families and carers.
In 2023, the charity delivered approximately 9,000 hours of support to its members and respite for their carers.
The services they offer aim to help members develop life skills, gain confidence and make friends.
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Senior operations manager Alison McKeown, who has been with Accuro for over 25 years, said: "The Accuro Games is a wonderful event to bring the young people, children and adults who take part in of our clubs, together with their families, to celebrate Accuro’s 40th anniversary.
"As a small local charity, we are proud to have supported people with a disability in West Essex for such a long period of time and to have provided consistent services for a number of people from when they were children, through their teenage years, and into adulthood.
"We are very aware how much of an impact our services have had on individuals and the vital respite that is provided to families and carers.
"We plan to carry on delivering our much-needed services for many years to come!"
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