Special Olympics’ €5m fundraiser out of the blocks

SPECIAL Olympics Ireland hopes to kickstart its Support an Athlete campaign by raising €5 million.

The body, backed by celebrities including actor Colin Farrell, is raising funds for its programme, which caters for 11,000 athletes, 18,000 volunteers, 2,500 family members and 402 clubs.

Chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland Mary Davis, said: “It is four years since the World Games were held here in Ireland, and, in that time, Special Olympics has introduced a further 4,000 people with a learning disability to the joy and benefits of participation in sport.

“As we prepare to send a team to the 2007 World Games in October, the real challenge is to keep raising funds to ensure that Special Olympics can continue to offer physical, social and emotional support to people with a learning disability in their own communities. With the support of the Irish people, just like in 2003 and since, we know we can do this.”

The body’s Support an Athlete campaign, backed by Eircom, is aiming to ensure more people with learning disabilities are given the opportunity to participate in sport.

The money raised will be used to prepare and train a team of 143 athletes, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers for the 2007Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

A campaign office has been set up in every county in Ireland with a co-ordinator to support local fundraising activities, according to Ms Davis.

Further details can be accessed through the website: www.specialolympics.ie.

Special Olympics athletes Andrew McCarthy, seven, and Ben O’Riordan, eight, from Blackrock Flyers Club kick-started the campaign by hosting a fundraising cake sale.

Some 25,000 campaign packs have been distributed to community groups, businesses and colleges.

Some television stars have lent their support including Kathryn Thomas, Special Olympics patron, Ian Dempsey and TV3’s Ireland AM presenter, Sinead Desmond.

Actor Colin Farrell, who is featured in the campaign pack, said: “Special Olympics is the way the world should be; abundant in joy and understanding and showing no judgment. An environment where competition does not make an enemy of your fellow athlete, but a friend.

“For this and many other reasons I am honoured to be involved.”