NEARLY 300 pupils and students took part in the third Wiltshire Santa and Elf Dash last Thursday (December 5).

The 294 pupils and students from 18 primary, secondary and special schools and colleges from across Wiltshire were supported by126 adults.

For the third year, Fairfield Farm College at Dilton Marsh hosted the event, which is aimed at students of all ages with additional needs in both mainstream and special education.

Event organiser Rachel Bown, the Youth Sport Inclusion Lead for Wiltshire, said: "The event has been created and developed with the underlying principle that all young people deserve high quality opportunities to challenge themselves physically and emotionally in a fun, safe and appropriate environment.

"As well as all the students, there were 22 Sports Leaders from Fairfield Farm College and Lavington School helping with the event.

"There were a range of inclusive activities ensuring that there was something for everyone.

"Pupils could choose from two Lapland Challenge courses. One was designed for Santas and Elves who wanted a high energy, busy experience in a big open field, the other was set out for pupils who find movement challenging or just wanted to experience 'snow stations' in a more controlled, gentle way.

"Other pupils visited the sensory Winter Wonderland area. Here they explored Christmas through sensory stories. They could sit and touch different festive items and taste Christmas treats. They also sang and signed Christmas songs."

The participants could also have fun on the bouncy castle, trampettes, hoopla hoops, visit the 'reindeer' ponies and make something in the craft area.

Once they had had enough action, they could enjoy a Christmas biscuit baked by the Fairfield Farm College students.

The Fairfield Farm College would like to thank Wiltshire Highways for delivering & lending us 30 big traffic cones; Caroline Newman for her music and trampettes; Active Trowbridge for the inflatable castle, and Susie Nowell-Kelly for her communication expertise

Finally, a big thank you to all the schools and colleges, some of whom travelled a long way, for supporting the event and helping to ensure that everyone left feeling proud of themselves for trying something different, in a different environment, with different people.