KIDS by their nature love adventure and active sports.

But what about those who suffer from blindness or other sight problems?

Visual impairment need not be a barrier.

Nicki Edwards is club coordinator for the Actionnaires Club in Essex.

Organised by charity Action for Blind People, it provides free sporting activities for youngsters aged eight to 16 with sight problems and their siblings.

Mrs Edwards stumbled across it by chance while trying to find support for her son Ben Ruggles, 11, who has congenital glaucoma and retinal dystrophy.

She said: "It's helped him because he's in mainstream school and it makes him realise he's not the only child with a visual impairment.

"It's nice for him to have a go at sports on a level playing field. Football in the playground is not the same.

"He's made some really good friends and as a parent it's been good for me to meet other parents."

Through Actionnaires, Ben, of Bartram Avenue, Braintree, has competed in the Metro Games, a national athletics competition open to visually impaired adults and children.

He walked away with silver medals last year after taking part in the ball throw, standing long jump and a 60m sprint.

Mrs Edwards is a bit of an action woman herself, having run two London Marathons for Moorfields Eye Hospital, and last year's Halstead Marathon for an adventure playground at Beckers Green Primary School, where she is a teaching assistant.

The 38-year-old is running the London Marathon this April in aid of Help for Heroes.

She helps two other mums run the Actionnaires club's three-hour sports sessions at Riverside Ice and Leisure in Chelmsford.

Surprisingly, not many people are aware of its existence.

"We are really low on numbers.

"We probably only have about ten to 12 children that come regularly.

"There are about 300 visually impaired children in Essex so there's lots missing out," she said.

The club meets on the third Saturday of every month and runs sports such as football, ice skating, swimming, cricket, dry slope skiing and occasional away days to places like Mersea Island.

All the children who take part have varying degrees of disability.

"There's one little lad who is completely blind who lost both his eyes through cancer," said Mrs Edwards, who is also mum to Abbie, 15, and James, 13.

"Some have additional disabilities."

The Actionnaires clubs exist to provide opportunities for youngsters to participate in sports in a safe, structured and fun environment.

They aim to build their confidence, encourage them to keep fit and learn to believe in their own abilities.

Ultimately, the clubs encourage children to progress into mainstream sports with sighted children.

* The Actionnaires Club in Essex meets on the third Saturday of the month from 10am until 1pm at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Victoria Road, Chelmsford.

For more information, call Action for Blind People's national freephone number 0800 915 4666.