WILBERFOSS youngster Lydia Wrightson was one of 100 visually impaired youngsters to compete in the Boots Opticians Actionnaires Athletics Day, in Sheffield, run by Action for Blind People.

The track and field event is the UK’s biggest for blind and partially sighted children, aged four to16.

The 12-year-old partially sighted athlete is a member of Hull Actionnaires, one of the charity’s 23 multi-activity clubs for blind and partially sighted children, supporting them in enjoying full and active lives.

Wrightson took part in the sprint events, long jump and javelin; joining other visually impaired children at an event attending from 20 towns and cities across the Midlands and North of England.

Said Wrightson: “I had a great time. This year’s Commonwealth Games has made me want to do even more sport. Making friends and doing new things is what I love about Actionnaires.”

Lesley Inganni, operations manager at Action for Blind People, said: “Lydia and the other children were so excited about the event, as many don’t get to participate in sport at all outside of their local Actionnaires clubs.

“This was the eighth year that the event has taken place. We’re extremely grateful to have Boots Opticians and Topcon Ophthalmic Equipment as sponsors, and the support of British Blind Sport.

“Every year it gets bigger and better, and with parallel success coordinators from British Athletics attending, some of these children could even be our Paralympians of the future.”

The Actionnaires clubs are open to blind and partially sighted children, aged four to 16, providing opportunities for them to get involved in sport and other social activities.

Actionnaires is one of Action for Blind People’s services for children and young people, which also includes access to information, activity breaks, support groups for parents, and help with assistive technology.

For more information about Action for Blind People’s Actionnaires clubs visit the charity’s Actn.it/Children-Club website.