The Panathlon Challenge – a sports charity for disabled school children – received a £54,450 (US$78,329, €71,684) funding boost from Boris Johnson to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Kate Hoey MP, the Mayor of London’s commissioner for sport, hosted celebrations at City Hall and announced the extra funding for the mini Paralympics organisation from the Mayor’s Office.

“Over the past two decades, Panathlon has opened up access to sporting communities for tens of thousands of severely disabled young people, for whom such an opportunity rarely exists,” said Hoey.

In 2015, Panathlon helped 7,500 children from more than 450 schools participate in multi-sport events across England – a “record-breaking” figure. Over the past five years, the foundation has grown its reach from five to 27 counties and aims to be “truly nationwide” by 2020.

Panathlon chief executive Ashley Iceton said: “Over the past 20 years I have seen the Panathlon Challenge grow from an idea and concept to where we are today – a national organisation that influences thousands of lives. I am proud of what we have created and hope we can continue to have a positive influence on the lives of young people for many years to come.”

The organisation receives funding from charitable trusts such as St James’ Place Foundation, Jack Petchey Foundation, the Mayor of London, Wembley National Stadium Trust, the Bulldog Trust, Peter Harrison Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation, as well as from the government via Sport England.

“Sport is about changing people’s health and mental wellbeing,”’ said Sport England chair Nick Bitel, who was present at the celebrations. “There is a need for sport to be used for outcomes rather than sport itself and Panathlon absolutely fits the bill.”