The Presidents Sporting Club/ Essex Disabled Sports Foundation has held its 38th Children’s Sports Awards Lunch at the ‘Best Parties Ever’ venue at Barleylands, Billericay.

680 children with disabilities together with their teachers (980 were seated for the lunch) from special schools, throughout Essex and East Hertfordshire attended.

The children and teachers had a traditional lunch served by 70 students from Harlow College. The children enjoyed Children’s entertainer Skittleman, had the opportunity to meet a host of celebrities, a cabaret, disco and a visit from Father Christmas. There were Clowns, Christmas Costume Characters, Frozen Princesses and Face Painters.

Early in the morning 700 bags of presents were assembled for the children.

The highlight of the Sports Awards Lunch was an award ceremony to some of the children who have made significant achievements in sport. This is to recognise endeavour rather than elitism and can vary from swimming two or three strokes to taking part in an outward bound type course. There were 23 individual award winners.

The awards were presented by: Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Frank Bruno MBE, Graham Gooch OBE, Ellis Challis, Tony Cottee, Colin McMillan BEM and the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, Charles Anderson.

Star of Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goldstein, and Lydia Lucy (finalist on The Voice) also assisted with presentation of the awards and also appeared on stage to entertain the children.