VIDEO: Colin Farrell: ‘Give all that you can’ to Special Olympics Ireland
Colin Farrell has called on Irish people to dig deep in support of Special Olympics Ireland annual Collection Day today.
Every cent counts for the sports charity as it seeks to raise €500,000 in 24 hours. 3,500 volunteers will be shaking buckets in 200 towns and villages over the course of Friday April 24.
38-year-old Farrell is a big advocate of the charity and the opportunities it offers athletes with intellectual disabilities. The actor has been a high profile ambassador since the Special Olympics World Games were held in Ireland in 2003.
To promote this year’s Collection Day, which is supported by Eircom, Farrell made a short home video in which he candidly explains what Special Olympics means to him.
“If anyone remembers in 2003 when our country hosted the Special Olympics World Games and we gave accommodation and shelter to athletes from all over the world,” Farrell said.
“It was an amazing experience for the whole country and everyone was supportive and got behind it. And there was such a sense of community about it, and not just a sense of optimism, but hope.
@SOIreland - it's amazing who you meet on #collectionday Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene! pic.twitter.com/FILr416zkU
— Karen Coventry (@karenjcoventry) April 24, 2015
“It is an incredible thing what Special Olympics does and it is an amazing opportunity for the athletes involved to be recognised for striving to realise the fullest of their potential.”
The actor and father of two has urged people to dig deep this collection day and donate whatever money they can, stressing that the every single cent counts for the 9,000 plus athletes training in 370 Special Olympics clubs around the country.
Supporting our #CollectionDay @DarrenONeil @bobbykerr @AidanPowerful on Grafton St. Text Special to 50300 to give €2 pic.twitter.com/GbZtODSYVY
— Special Olympics Ireland (@SOIreland) April 24, 2015
All happenin here at @eircom @SOIreland Natl Collection Day in Cork w/ @crossbar13 @frankandws @billyholland @dsully3 pic.twitter.com/uoVKzMFsb3
— TITAN Experience (@TitanExperience) April 24, 2015
“There will be volunteers all over the country in pubs, and clubs, and shopping centres and outside the cinema and annoying and heckling you for whatever you can afford,” Farrell joked. “But, please, give all that you can. I know times are tough, and wallets can be tight, but it’s a great cause.
“So with all of this in mind, give all that you can. .”
I hope everyone is out supporting and collecting with @SOIreland today! See you all in Cork later #specialolympics pic.twitter.com/BCJhWhZe5c
— Barry Murphy (@BarryMurphyHG) April 24, 2015
This summer is a massive occasion for Special Olympics and 88 of its athletes who will be heading to Los Angeles to compete at the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Their selection comes after four years of training and competition. The World Games will take place in LA from 25th July until 2nd August.
