PEOPLE of all ages took part in sporting activities at a Sports for All event in Wear Valley yesterday.

Organisers 2D, a support group for the voluntary and community sector in Wear Valley and Teesdale, and the district council, aimed to promote Volunteers' Week, from June 1 to 8, to develop sports clubs and encourage healthy activity.

The event, at Parkside School, in Willington, was opened by swimmer Sarah Whewell, who represented England at the Commonwealth Games. Volunteers have helped her throughout her career.

She said: "From the age of eight I have been coached by volunteers, they have made a great difference."

Sports clubs such as the Spectrum Roller Hockey Club and Willington Cricket Club, and community groups including Durham Dales Family Link and Wear Valley Customer Panel, which all rely on volunteers, had stalls.

Sports club development officer Nigel Douthwaite said: "Today is about getting people to participate in sports that they might not get to in normal circumstances."

Activities included football for boys and girls, golf, basketball and an aikido martial arts demonstration.

Lindsay Wright, 2D's Wear Valley volunteer co-ordinator, encourages parents to help with sports clubs.

She said: "Parents will bring their kids along, but we would like them to get involved."

In an effort to encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, The Northern Echo teamed up with Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water for a year-long campaign called A Chance To Live.