Haverhill venue The New Croft to host inaugural Bill Gladden Inclusive Sports Day, named in honour of the late D-Day veteran

A new sports day for people with special needs will be held in Haverhill and has been named after the man who was the town’s last surviving D-Day veteran.

The inaugural Bill Gladden Inclusive Sports Day, billed by its organisers as a ‘pioneering event for our community’, will take place at The New Croft on Friday, August 30, from 10am to 2pm.

It will feature three age categories: eight to 12, 13 to 18 and over 18, and include four competitive games alongside various other sports and activities.

Registrations to take part must be submitted before August 23. To do so, email hello@thrivehubhaverhill.com.

The day is being organised by the team responsible for the Thrive Hub in Haverhill, a day service for adults with learning and physical disabilities, plus autism.

Two months ago, the hub’s manager, Nathalie Gilder, put out a call for help to get the sports day up and running - and the dream is set to become a reality.

With a date and venue agreed, Nathalie is now appealing for sponsorship, donations and volunteers to ensure the day can be offered free of charge.

She said: “Whether the donations are generous or modest, each contribution plays a significant role in funding this wonderful event, allowing all attendees to engage in and enjoy a diverse range of sports and games.”

“Our sports day was named in honour of Bill Gladden, a D-Day veteran, to symbolize strength, determination and unity,” continued Nathalie.

“Bill's daughter (who attends the Thrive Hub) has Down’s syndrome and he had consistently been a strong supporter of inclusive opportunities for individuals with physical and learning disabilities.”

Bill died in April at the age of 100.

He was the final surviving Haverhill-based veteran of the D-Day operation in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

The sports day is expected to have 100 to 150 people attending and sponsorship will help provide the athletes’ t-shirts and goodie bags, the costs of volunteer t-shirts, medals and lunch for the competitors, refreshments such as water and snacks and activities including crazy golf and axe throwing and the £100 cost of the venue hire.

Anyone that would like to donate to the games can call Nathalie or Jade on 01440 821491 or 07523680603 or visit the hub in Weavers Mill, Chauntry Mills.