Special Olympics fund-raising drive kicks off
Special Olympics Ireland hopes to kickstart its Support An Athlete campaign today by raising €5m.
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.
Mary Davis, chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland, 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.
“And 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.
Through the €5m funding it is planning to prepare and train a team of 143 athletes, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
Ms Davis confirmed a Support An Athlete campaign office has been set up in every county in Ireland with a co-ordinator to support local fundraising activities and further details can be accessed through the website www.specialolympics.ie.
Special Olympics athletes Andrew McCarthy, 7, and Ben O’Riordan, 8, from Blackrock Flyers Club kick-started the campaign hosting a cake sale as the first fundraiser.
More than 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 Sinéad Desmond.
Star of Hollywood blockbuster Miami Vice, 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.”
GAA stars DJ Carey, Conor Mortimer and Sean Boylan, musicians Tabby, Mickey Harte and The Saw Doctors and rugby players Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll and David Humphreys have pledged to support the campaign by recording local radio station advertisements and attending fundraising events.
Events have been planned in each county including golf classics, ladies' luncheons and dinner dances.
The campaign will finish on April 27 with a fundraising initiative that will see every town and city in Ireland request a donation from people travelling on nearby routes.
On the same date, the delegation of 143 athletes and 55 coaches chosen to attend the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be revealed.
