The free Have a Go Festival for people with learning disabilities has been cancelled just three days before it was due to take place, as an Amber Heat Warning grips Oxfordshire. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and charity Active Oxfordshire made the joint decision on 6 July to call off the sports day, which was scheduled for Thursday 9 July.
Organisers said they took the difficult step to protect public safety during a period of extreme heat. The Met Office has issued an Amber warning running from 8 to 12 July, with temperatures forecast to exceed 35°C across southern England. The UK Health Security Agency also issued Heat Health Alerts alongside the Met Office warnings.
The festival has been an annual fixture for over a decade, marking its tenth year of operation in 2024. Described as a fun free sports day, it is designed for people with a learning disability living in and around Oxfordshire. No rescheduled date has yet been announced, but the trust and Active Oxfordshire said they hope to welcome attendees again at future events.
Families and individuals who had planned to attend are being asked to help spread the word about the cancellation. The Amber warning highlights potential health risks for the wider population as well as possible disruption to transport, energy and water supplies.
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