On Sunday 5th March Grampian Disability Sport held their Get Out Get Active (GOGA) project launch at Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie. The launch was a great success with over 35 participants coming along with their families to hear about the project and get involved in the adapted cycling taster session.
The overall project aim is to have better opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages, along with their families and friends, to be included within existing mainstream walking, cycling, swimming and triathlon programmes across the rural and urban Grampian region.
The main focus of the project in Grampian is the set up of three adapted cycling hubs one in Aberdeenshire, one in Aberdeen City and one in Moray.   As part of the launch Fabb Scotland travelled up from Edinburgh with their adapted bikes so people could see and try the variety of adapted cycling equipment on offer. The bikes never stopped the whole day with participants moving from one bike to another with many managing to find a bike they could use independently.
The next stage of the cycling project is to train staff in the adapted cycling equipment which will take place on 21st April in Inverurie. GDS have also been successful to secure funding from Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation to purchase a container to store the adapted bikes at Garioch Sports Centre. All there is left to do now is to get the adapted cycling equipment ordered with the Spirit of 2012 GOGA money. This will allow for the first EVER adapted cycling hub to up and running in Grampian at Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie. Everyone who attended the launch was very excited about having this hub local to them with not too long to wait until it is in full swing.
There is work also taking place with Paths for All to open up their existing health walks to anyone of any ability across the Grampian area. Scottish Swimming our swimming partner are offering training to swimming teachers to make adaptations for children with disabilities within a learn to swim environment.
The launch event would not have been the success it was without the support of Aberdeenshire Sport Council who provided funding for the launch to allow us to have a relaxed social gathering to chat with families about their needs in the area and also bring the specialised equipment up for the day for families to try.
For further information about the GOGA Project please contact Gemma Lewis on 01467 534730 or email: gemma.lewis@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
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