A FIFTH annual Recovery Olympics was held in Forth Valley earlier this month to mark and celebrate recovery from substance misuse.

The Forth Valley Recovery Community (FVRC) held their fifth annual event at the Mayfield Centre in Stirling on Friday, September 10.

Established by FVRC in partnership with Active Stirling, the sports day style event is held each year to mark and celebrate recovery.

FVRC is a community of people committed to making recovery happen in Forth Valley for people who have lived experience of having a substance misuse problem.

Events included three-legged, wheelbarrow, egg & spoon, sprint and relay races, as well as a tug of war finale.

Tom Gebbie, community activation officer at Active Stirling, said: “It was really great to support this event again.

“After so long spent on furlough and returning on a limited basis, it was brilliant to reconnect with Forth Valley Recovery Community and see them all active again through such an important event.

“Well done to everyone who competed and I look forward to re-connecting further with everyone over the next couple of months.”

The event normally invites recovery communities from across Scotland alongside support services that work with these communities.

However, due to Covid-19, this year’s event had to be held on a smaller scale with only a head to head between Forth Valley & North Lanarkshire Recovery Communities.

Both teams competed well and although competitive during events it was mainly about bringing recovery communities together and enjoying a fun day of sport.

FVRC is a community of people committed to making recovery happen in Forth Valley.

Established in February 2016, it delivers a variety of safe, substance free events since February 2016, all organised by volunteers in recovery.

They operate seven recovery cafés across Forth Valley, including two in the Wee County, where people can socialise, enjoy some home baking, cooking, holistic therapies and participate in leisure, sporting and recreational opportunities.

Cafés are open on Tuesdays between 4-9pm at The Gate in Alloa and on Thursdays at Alva Baptist Church between 1.30-4pm.

Visit facebook.com/forthvalleyrecoverycommunity for more information on the work of FVRC.