Wonderful day!
It was the International Day of Disabled People yesterday and there were events all over the local area to mark this important day. One of the most enjoyable was the Barking & Dagenham event which took place at Dagenham & Redbridge FC.
The Sycamore Trust were out in force throughout the event which encourages communities to come together to celebrate people with disabilities and the organisations that support them. The IDDP has been celebrated in Barking and Dagenham since 2003 and the theme for this years event was Aspire and Achieve, aiming to showcase the achievements and acknowledge the aspirations of the disabled community.
There were a couple of show stopping moments throughout the day, none more so than Monday night club for adults with learning difficulties who performed a rousing rendition of "I'd do anything" from the musical Oliver, with a very convincing Nancy taking centre stage!
There were several speeches and videos during the afternoon and evening as well as a visit from Digger, the Dagenham & Redbridge FC mascot, who was in an especially cheerful mood, following the Daggers' 2-1 at Hartlepool on Saturday.
The event concluded with a disco in the evening, but not before the arrival of a very special visitor. The Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, Cllr Sanchia Alasia popped in to chat to the assembled guests, many of whom took the chance to get a photo, including our Autism Ambassadors Robert & Daniel, and Nana from our Tuesday Matata Club.
L-R; Robert from our Autism Ambassadors, Nana from our Tuesday Matata Club, the Mayor's Disability Champion Funmi Alake, the Mayor of B&D, Cllr Sanchia Alasia and Autism Ambassador Daniel Sajeel