Special Olympics Ireland has launched a €5 million fund-raising campaign to prepare a team for the next World Games in China this October and expand the programme in Ireland.
It is preparing and training a team of 143 athletes, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers for the 2007 World Games in Shanghai in October. In addition to the financing needed for this trip, the organisation needs more funds to maintain and expand its programme to ensure it is available to people with learning disabilities across the country.
Mary Davis, chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland, said the numbers involved in the organisation had grown significantly since Ireland hosted the World Games almost four years ago. "Since then the Special Olympics has introduced a further 4,000 people with a learning disability to the joy and benefits of participation in sport," she said.
"As we prepare to send a team to the 2007 World Games, the real challenge is to keep raising funds to ensure we can continue to offer physical, social and emotional support to people with a learning disability in their own communities."
The growth of the Special Olympics movement here since Ireland hosted the games has been dramatic.
The number of athletes has grown from 7,000 to 11,000, or around one-third of all people in the country with a mild to profound learning disability. The number of trained volunteers has increased from 1,000 to 18,000. About 100 new community networks have also been established.
Special Olympics Ireland aims to raise most of the €5 million through its "support an athlete" programme. Campaign offices have been set up in every county in Ireland, with a dedicated co-ordinator supporting local fundraising activities.
A celebrity in each county has signed up to throw their weight behind the campaign, such as Irish rugby internationals Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell; GAA stars such as Joe Deane of Cork and DJ Carey of Kilkenny; and actor Colin Farrell.
Information on the campaign is available on www.specialolympics.ie or a fundraising pack can be ordered by ringing 1850 555 22 in the Republic or 00800 555 222 555 in Northern Ireland.
