National Play Day event to take place in Athlone this week

As part of National Play Week from July 2-9 a special event will take place this Thursday from 11am to 2pm in the Regional Sports Centre in Athlone.

Every local authority across the country has received funding for National Play Week to provide an array of activities for children.

There will be a mixture of organised play and impromptu play activities such as music, a magic show, soccer, karate, basketball and netball according to Annette Barr Jordan, Age Friendly Programme Manager, Westmeath County Council.

"The idea is to bring social inclusion into play day and to highlight the various services available to parents. We're hoping it's going to be a good day with a joyful kind of atmosphere."

Goody bags will be given to the children with refreshments also provided on the day.

Following the play day event boxes of toys will be delivered to the five sites in Westmeath where Ukrainian children are being housed and also to some residential areas in Athlone.

Parents will also have the opportunity to get information on the supports available from various local bodies and organisations such as Westmeath County Council, Westmeath Community Development, Athlone Family Resource Centre, Longford Westmeath ETB, Westmeath Sports Partnership and Westmeath PPN, An Garda Síochána and the HSE Health Communities programme.