More than 100 footballers with learning disabilities, along with their families, coaches and volunteers, celebrated their achievements at an awards evening in Colchester recently.
The awards were held at Colchester United’s home ground, the Weston Homes Community Stadium. There, Colchester defender, Josh Thompson, handed out trophies and medals to players from the teams run by local community healthcare provider, Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) as part of the Healthy 4 Life project.
Healthy 4 Life provides adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to play football. It has blossomed since first being set up five years ago by Carolyn Rogers, an occupational therapist at ACE, and community nurse, Mo Seeraullee. It now has groups in Colchester, Clacton and Witham and has been awarded Charter Standard status by the Football Association.
“The evening acknowledged players’ progress and I am sure will encourage and motivate them for the coming season,” Rogers said. “I would like to say a massive thank you to Colchester United Football Club for providing us with an amazing venue and for allowing players to be present on the night.”
