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Stockport charity Seashell Trust is going for gold after hosting the ninth year of its annual college sports day for disabled students.

Hosted at Sports City the North West Games, in partnership with Natspec (National Association of Specialist Colleges) for its second year in a row, saw 185 students take part from 16 specialist colleges across the North West. The volunteers were really helpful, positive and upbeat which made the day more enjoyable, the students thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The event was an opportunity for those aged 19 to 21, who have varying degrees of physical and profound learning disabilities, to come together and take part in a variety of different sports.

There were 15 teams who had the chance of winning bronze, silver and gold medals for those with the highest points.

Maureen Wilkins, teacher and curriculum area for sports at Seashell Trust’s Royal College Manchester, said: “It’s great to link up with Natspec again to bring people from across the North West together to participate in inclusive sport and feel part of something. The students engaged and interacted with each other, there was a student who learnt some sign language with staff supporting him so he could communicate to a student who is deaf. At the end of the event the running race was the most exciting as all the students, staff, and volunteers joined together in the highlight of the day in the 100mts track event.

“What makes it worth it is the young people’s faces and determination – there’s no doubt that this is a day that everyone loves and enjoys.”

There were also 56 volunteers at the events who made sure everything ran smoothly.

Maureen added: “We couldn’t have done it without the volunteers who played a huge part in making sure the event was a sporting success, a big thank you to everyone who helped.”

The Natspec games WAS just the start of Seashell’s summer of sports. Seashell’s CADS (Children’s Able and Disabled Sports) will be taking place over summer and includes a range of activities for both able and disabled children and young adults meaning that sport is fully inclusive.