People from across Britain flocked to the annual Recovery Games in Doncaster and celebrated the achievements of those in recovery from a drug and alcohol problem.
The event, held at Hatfield Activity Centre in Doncaster on August 16, attracted over 1000 people who travelled far and wide to compete in a day of healthy gladiator style games and obstacle courses. Fifty teams took part including one from Wales, Scotland and also closer to home in Doncaster, Sheffield as well as from Derby and Nottingham.
The Recovery Games is an annual event organised by Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service which is run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with registered charity The Alcohol and Drug Service.
Event organiser Neil Firbank for Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service, said: “This year’s games were the biggest and best yet with the recovery community being stronger and more vibrant than ever. The event is about letting people know that recovery is alive and being nurtured in many towns across the region and UK. Thank you to everyone who took part and supported this amazing event.”
The overall winner was New Beginnings, a Doncaster based rehab and detox unit which is run by Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service.
Stuart Green, Aspire Service Manager, said: “Once again it’s been a fantastic day excelling all expectations with hundreds of people coming together celebrating and applauding those in recovery from an addiction. The event has become a recognised milestone in the recovery calendar. It sees people with different addictions and health conditions come together, connect, give and learn new skills but most importantly have fun without the need for substances.”
Tim Young, Chief Executive of the Alcohol and Drug Service said: “The Recovery Games is a great day of celebration. For the first time this year the weather wasn’t kind to us and yet the rain did nothing to dampen the magic of the event. If anything this year has added ‘the year of the rain’ to the legend of the Recovery Games in the same way Glastonbury festival has its infamous ‘year of the mud’. A day of powerful images and emotions the games once again brought people together to make new connections and reinforce existing ones. The message it sends is clear and loud “recovery is possible, and fun!”
Joining the crowds of spectators to watch and show his support was local Doncaster actor Richard Crehan.
The event was funded from donations and raised an amazing £1062 on the day.
Watch the film from the Recovery Games via this link https://youtu.be/2FxPd6yhjL8
For more information about the Recovery Games go to @Recovery_Games
If you know of someone or you are struggling with a drug and/or alcohol problem please visit the Aspire website at www.aspire.community
