Local MP joins volunteers at Royal School for the Deaf

2.03.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Aug 2008

Mark joins in with Childrens Able and Disabled Sports week - picture shows Amin Gerapayeh-Vagei (left) and Samantha Greenwood (right)

Cheadle Constituency MP Mark Hunter visited the Royal School for the Deaf and Communication Disorders last Friday to join in with the climax of Children's Able and Disabled Sports (CADS) week.

CADS sports week was organised as part of national 'V Challenge', run by England's biggest ever youth action programme, 'V' which offers thousands of innovative volunteering opportunities to those aged 16-25.

After joining in with the games on the sports field, Mr Hunter helped award certificates to both children and volunteers who helped to organise the event. Awards were given to children who contributed most to their group, who improved the most, and to the volunteers judged to be the best in each group.

Mark was joined on stage by UK squash number one and world number three James Willstrop, who is an ambassador for CADS, as well as Robert Hough, chairman of The Cheshire Building Society, which sponsors summer CADS.

Mark presents an award alongside UK squash No.1 James Willstrop and Chesire Building Society Chairman Robert Hough

Gemma Castle, CADS Co-ordinator, explained a little more about CADS: "Our volunteers range from 16 year olds to gap year students and people in their 50s who have been helping for several years. Fifty per cent of our volunteers returned this year so they must enjoy getting involved."

"To have our MP Mr Hunter joining the volunteers was really fantastic. He is setting a great example to others and hopefully more people will consider volunteering."

Mr Hunter applauded the efforts of CADS and the 'V' volunteers, speaking after the ceremony he said, "I can't tell you enough how impressed I am with the Children's Able and Disabled Sports group. They're doing a brilliant job getting kids out and about, being active, which provides such great benefits later in life. Sport helps to keep us fit and brings us together, and it seems to be to be a brilliant focus of the volunteers' efforts! As always, the Royal School for the Deaf is providing an absolutely brilliant service to the young people it cares for"