Lions Clubs, from Battle, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Rye and Uckfield joined together to host their thirteenth “It’s A Special Knockout” day for people with special needs at Bede’s School, Upper Dicker.
The competition was opened with a rousing “Oyez” by Hailsham’s Town Crier, Geoff Rowe, who is also a member of Hailsham Lions, and a total of 150 competitors took part in the games. Supported by some 75 carers, supporters and families and, of course, many Lions, the competitors came from many groups across East Sussex and formed a total of 18 different competing teams.
The contestants competed more than enthusiastically in a wide range of games including a “Postman Pat” posting race, dressing in reverse and fishing for ducks. It was an incredibly closely run contest with only 9 points between the winning and the last teams. The winners, for the second year running, were the Yellow Perils from Special Olympics, Eastbourne, with a total of 103 points and they will hold the trophy for another year.
In second place was the Phabtasticcs team with 101 points and the Olympians A team were third with 99 points – a close run finish. In addition to the races, there were two other competitions, a prize for the best design of a Joker card and the best designed poster. These were judged by the Mayor of Uckfield, John Carvey; Mayor of Hailsham, Jo Bentley; Mayor of Bexhill, Joanne Gadd and Deputy Mayor of Eastbourne, Janet Coles. Other VIPs attending were the Bexhill Councillor Brian Kentfield, Lions 2nd Vice- District Governor, Terry Mason, the Lions Zone Chairman, Caroline Hicks and two rather large costumed Lions, Leo and Rory.
The prize for the best design of Joker card was won by Bexhill Gateway and the best designed poster was jointly won by two teams, Uckfield PHAB and Team Supersonic from New Direction, Robertsbridge.
All competitors were presented with a commemorative medal and certificate. In addition, to throwing all their efforts into the games, the competitors also enjoyed dancing to a disco at half-time together with the Lions, both human and in Lion costume.
The Lions would like to express their thanks to Bede’s School for providing such excellent facilities and to their students that cheerfully assisted with the games and also to Tesco for the provision of much needed bottled water. The Lions and their partners and other helpers were rewarded by the enthusiasm of the contestants and the expressions of pure delight and pleasure on the faces of the competitors.
Many of the, by then exhausted, Lions together with family and friends, went for a well-deserved drink and meal at the nearby King’s Head Inn. The Lions hope next year to hold their fourteenth Special Knockout and any centre for people with special needs interested in taking part should contact their nearest Lions Club, details of which can be found on the internet.
“Rye’s Own” April 2013
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