Special mission to raise €5m for athletes

THE Special Olympics launched a national fundraising drive yesterday to raise €5 million to encourage more athletes to get involved ahead of the world games.

Chief executive officer Mary Davis said the money will be used to boost athlete numbers from 11,000 to 14,000 and to help fund the Irish delegation competing in the world games in China in October.

The cost of equipping and sending the 200-strong Irish delegation to Shanghai could top €1 million, she said.