BAFTA winning Paralympic medallist Ade Adepitan opens centre named after him in Kingsbury

Ade Adepitan at the entrance to the short break centre. (Image: Isabelle Plasschaert)

Wheelchair basketball star Ade Adepitan ‘shot some hoops’ with children and young people with disabilities today to mark the opening of a new centre in Kingsbury named after him.

The Paralympic medallist and TV presenter visited the Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre, in Grove Park, the day after receiving a BAFTA award alongside other members of the Channel 4 team for their coverage of last year’s Paralympics.

The centre, which was built by Brent Council for children and young people aged from five to 18 with disabilities, offers first-class modern facilities which will go a long way towards transforming the quality of lives of guests with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) or autism.

Users can stay at the centre for anything from a few hours to a few nights, giving them the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of new experiences which make a positive difference and high-quality care, while their families can take a short break.

It was named after Mr Adepitan following a vote by users and their families.

He said: “I believe that it doesn’t matter what you look like or if you have a disability, if you believe in yourself, anything is possible - and the same goes for the young people and children who use the Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre.

“I hope that with the kind of high-quality support and facilities on offer, those young people will be able to get that much closer to fulfilling their dreams and ambitions.”

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of the council, added: “I am delighted that we have opened this fantastic, modern centre, as it will make a huge difference to the lives of the disabled young people who stay here.

“The young people and families wanted to name it after Ade as he is such an inspirational person. It is brilliant that he agreed to open it himself and everyone was thrilled to meet him in person.”