James Hall & Co is delighted to announce its thirteenth year of sponsorship for the SPAR Lancashire School Games, helping to promote healthy and active lifestyles across the county.

Officially launched through a special VIP event on the 14th February 2019, James Hall & Co welcomed 120 special guests to its SPAR distribution centre in Preston, treating guests to a tour of the company’s impressive 35,000 sq metre warehouse and production areas; inspirational talks from two Team GB athletes; a delicious lunch and a goodie bag full of SPAR Lancashire School Games merchandise.

Team GB athletes, Nathan Maguire (Paralympian sprinter) and Lisa Whiteside (Commonwealth Gold Boxer), spoke about the importance of sport in relation to competitive spirit; wellbeing; teamwork; focus and working hard to achieve goals.

Lisa, who was born in Chorley and recently won the Commonwealth flyweight title for England said: “The SPAR Lancashire School Games offers children such a fantastic opportunity to be involved in competitive sport and I only wish that I had had such an opportunity whilst at school.

“Meeting the children today and seeing their enthusiasm for sport has been amazing and reflects all the hard work from the Lancashire school games organisers, SPAR and Active Lancashire.”

80 Lancashire school children were selected to attend the event, representing each of the districts; Wyre and Fylde; Rossendale; Blackpool; Preston; Lancaster; Heysham; South Ribble; Chorley; Hyndburn & Ribble Valley; Blackburn & Darwen; Pendle; Burnley and West Lancashire.

Paralympian Nathan spoke about his disability with the children, explaining that living well was all about having the right mindset and approach to life’s challenges: “My disability has offered me the most amazing experiences and the chance to compete in incredible places, represent my country and meet a fantastic range of diverse and inspiring people.

“I had to go outside of school to find the right kind of facilities and developed my love of competitive sport through wheelchair basketball. It is fantastic to see children with disabilities here today being offered the chance to take part in such an exciting and inclusive competition.”

Peter Dodding, sales and marketing director at James Hall & Co said: “This is our thirteenth year of sponsoring the SPAR Lancashire School Games and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to continue that support.

“Each year, the team of school games organisers make such a difference to sport within schools and we are proud to be working alongside Active Lancashire to help promote healthy and active lifestyles throughout the county.”

Peter added: “Over 94,000 Lancashire school children participated in last year’s SPAR Lancashire School Games and this year promises to be bigger and better!”

Also in attendance were representatives from Active Lancashire; Rock FM and the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Trevor Hart.