Be Part of the London Olympics with Diverse Abilities Plus

With only one year to go until the London Olympics on 27 July, Diverse Abilities Plus, the Dorset charity that provides a range of support and education services for children and adults with disabilities across the county, is urging people to get involved with the 'Gold Challenge' - a national sporting Olympic inspired initiative to raise money for the charity.

The Gold Challenge is a unique opportunity for local people, of all ages and abilities, to experience and engage in up to thirty Olympic and Paralympic sports which will feature as part of the 2012 Olympic Games. Entry can be as part of a team or as an individual, with the aim of taking part in five, ten, 20 or 30 sports - which include judo, fencing, trampolining, table tennis, cycling and gymnastics - before 31 December 2012.

While undertaking these personal sporting challenges, participants can raise funds for Diverse Abilities Plus and as the only local Dorset-based independent charity taking part it hopes to raise in excess of £100,000 with the help of the local community.

To date, companies that have signed up to the Gold Challenge have undertaken rowing, running, volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Other sports pledged to take part in include synchronised swimming, triathlon, trampolining and BMX.

Mark Powell, CEO at Diverse Abilities Plus, said: "The Gold Challenge presents a unique and exciting opportunity to try a variety of sports - many of which most people may have never tried or have not done since their school days, as well as being part of the excitement around the 2012 Olympics.

"As the only Dorset-based charity taking part in the Gold Challenge, we hope that more local people sign up for the Gold Challenge to raise money for us. The funds raised will help the charity's on-going work providing a range of assistance, support and education services for young people and adults with Cerebral Palsy and associated disabilities."

Diverse Abilities Plus has nearly 200 adult and family team spaces available. Mark added: "I urge willing participants to sign up and get started on their Gold Challenge, and to help spread the word about our involvement."

For more information or to contact Diverse Abilities Plus please visit www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk or call 01202 718266. For more information about the Gold Challenge visit www.goldchallenge.org

You can also visit the Diverse Abilities Plus Facebook and Twitter pages atwww.facebook.com/diverseabilitiesplus and www.twitter.com/GoldChallengeDA