GOLD medal winning paralympian Aaron Phipps MBE has officially opened an inclusive outdoor play area at Longdown Activity Farm.

He was invited to cut the ribbon to officially open the equipment, dedicated to the memory of regular visitor Sam Burnage, by owners Bryan and Dawn Pass. 

It includes a wheelchair swing and accessible playboards.

A long-term champion of the assisted needs community, Longdown Activity Farm owner Bryan Pass, lovingly known as Farmer Bryan, said: "The sight of the happy, laughing faces enjoying the wheelchair swing is simply priceless." 

Daily Echo: Longdown owners Bryan and Dawn Pass with Aaron Phipps MBE

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Aaron said: "I am amazed by the inclusivity that Bryan and Dawn have managed to achieve at Longdown, as a farm is not a venue often associated with accessibility."

Aaron Phipps MBE, from Totton, is a British wheelchair rugby champion, winning a coveted gold medal at the 2020 summer Paralympics.

Despite the loss of his legs and most of his fingers at the age of 15, Aaron has gone on to achieve incredible feats including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.