WHEELCHAIR DANCE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Members of the West Oxfordshire Wheelchair Dance group were thrilled to win nine medals at the recent UK Para Dance National Championship.

Fourteen members of the group competed, returning home on Sunday 28 October with five gold medals, three silver and one bronze.

Kate Goodwin, 38, from Faringdon defended her title as gold medal winner of the National Para Dance women’s single freestyle event, whilst the single men’s freestyle event was won by 26 year-old Alistair Oddy from Witney.

Alistair, who trains regularly with the Wheelchair Dance group, said, “Winning the gold felt really good and I was pleased that my family were there to watch; in fact it was a complete surprise for my mother as she did not even know I’d entered this category.”

Elizabeth-Rae Large from Milton-under-Wychwood set up the group in August 2016 and it now meets regularly every Wednesday at the Windrush Leisure Centre.

She said, “It was a truly fantastic day and I’m so proud of everyone. They all enjoyed themselves so much - Para Dancing is such fun as well as being good for overall health and fitness. Everyone is welcome to join our classes, regardless of ability, and there is no pressure to compete.”

Cllr Jeanette Baker, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We believe that no disability should stop anyone from dancing and having fun. Along with GLL, our leisure contractor, we are happy to provide support for the group at the Windrush Leisure Centre. It is part of our wider work of improving inclusiveness and creating more opportunities for more disabled people to participate in activities.”

More information about the West Oxfordshire Wheelchair Dance group is on Facebook, or they can be contacted on info@westoxwheelchairdance.co.uk.