A popular local event providing an afternoon of team sports, games and entertainment for adults and children with additional support needs – Aberdeen Funolympics – made its return on Sunday 13 November at the city’s Beach Ballroom venue.

The event took place from 1400 to 1900, welcoming around 200 individuals across 18 teams which were mixed with both adults and children (each team had a maximum of eight participants). 

It was jointly sponsored by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, with Dr David Cameron, Lord Provost of Aberdeen and his wife in attendance.  

Ten sports stations were set up around the room, consisting of fun team challenges inspired by different sporting activities including indoor golf, racquet sports, curling and hockey.

The participating teams were from organisations including Inspire PTL, Create Aberdeen, Doric Dolphins, Len Ironside Centre and HANDSS group.

Staff from various hotels across the north eastvolunteered on the day, as well as Kim McRobbie and Andrinne Craig from Sport Aberdeen to help out at the stations and ensure everyone had fun.

Every participant received a medal and the team from Back Hilton Road were crowned the overall winners so collected a trophy.

After the games were finished, attendees enjoyed a disco and some refreshments to round up the day – generously supplied by Aberdeen City Council.     

Special thanks must go to Bill Farquhar – one of the main event organisers, along with Frank Whittaker and Jim Byers from Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association as they are both pivotal in the event organisation and help to make the Funolympics a success each year.

Bill Farquhar said: “It was great to see so many teams taking part in the Funolympics after nearly 3 years being away due to COVID.

“The camaraderie and friendship between the teams was all to see in abundance and the games were competed in the true spirit of enjoyment and fun. 

“Everyone was a winner on the day.”

Andrinne Craig, Healthy Communities Manager, said: “The Funolympics was a great day full of fun, joy and laughter – well done to everyone who participated in the event, their team managers and the volunteers who made the event possible.

“We are so grateful to Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association for its £1,000 to Sport Aberdeen. This will be used to arrange more fun sports activities for individuals with additional support needs and we look forward to doing this soon.”

Photo credits: Norman Adams, Aberdeen City Council