Cash boost for the disabled from Olympic legacy fund

Some 1,400 of London's most severely disabled children have received expert sports coaching thanks to the £83,000 grant to the Panathlon from the Mayor's Olympic legacy fund.

Last year the competition became one of the fund's pilot projects. Children aged five to 19 represent their borough in electric wheelchair football, athletics, table tennis, table cricket, and boccia, a type of bowls. This year's final was won by Barking and Dagenham - whose senior team captain Connor Guy, 16, is pictured.

The grant means Panathlon can double its coaching sessions and hold qualifying events all year. Co-ordinator Ashley Iceton said: "It's boosting the chances of young people who'd otherwise not get any sport." Panathlon has also applied for funding for the next school year.