The Inspire Mark is only given to the most accessible and stimulating projects and events which have been inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Optua now has three Inspire Marks meaning that it now has more disability sport related Inspire Marks than any other organisation in the UK and also has the most of any non-local authority organisation in the East of England.

Optua's first Inspire Mark came in 2010 for their Disability Sport Showcase Days but the two new marks come for their Share Day of arts activities in April and the RHS Optua Games sport day which takes place in June at the Royal Hospital School near Tattingstone.

"This is fantastic news," said Optua's leisure manager David Finn.

"We're so pleased to have this official link to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"We've worked hard over the last few years to use the excitement over London 2012 to encourage more disabled people to get into sport and other community activities.

"We have three great events coming up this year which will all help to get people excited about sport and London 2012.

"I think our events really capture the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – it's all about getting involved and having a go."


Optua's next Disability Sport Showcase takes place in Lowestoft in March.

It will be its tenth event to have been run in all the main districts and boroughs across Suffolk.

Many other events and opportunities have been created, allowing hundreds of people with disabilities to try a huge range of disability and Paralympic sports.

"Optua is a great example of an organisation that has really embraced the spirit and the Values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Joseph Ballard, the London 2012 inspire programmer for the East of England.

"With three projects all focused on profiling disability sports and more importantly about empowering people to 'be their best', they have developed a much-valued portfolio within the London 2012 Inspire Programme."

As well as the Disability Showcase Days, Optua has also helped to set up and support disability sport clubs and opportunities across Suffolk and beyond.

The charity has also worked closely with other key organisations such as Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Sport who are working to ensure Suffolk makes the most of the opportunities presented by the 2012 Games.

"Suffolk County Council has been working really hard with key partners to use the Games as a mechanism to benefit the whole county," added Kathy Gosling, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for sport, culture, diversity, health and wellbeing.

"Optua has led by example and should be congratulated not only for achieving three Inspire Marks but for all they have achieved for the disabled community through the Games."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2010: Suffolk charity awarded London 2012 Inspire Mark
July 2010: Optua to host showcase event for London 2012 Open Weekend