Former Ulster and Ireland international rugby star, Simon Best is one of a number of leading Northern Ireland sports stars that has pledged their support to the Special Olympics Ulster Collection Day, which will take place on Friday 27th April 2012.
Part of the wider Special Olympics Ireland Annual Collection Day, which aims to raise one million across the island of Ireland, collection points will be set up across NI to raise vital funds to support the sports charity’s work in the Ulster region.
Simon Best’s voice can currently be heard on promotional ads airing on radio stations across Northern Ireland, urging people to help out on the day by volunteering to collect in towns and cities across Northern Ireland
Commenting at the launch of the recruitment drive, he said: “I am proud to fan the flame for Special Olympics Ulster’s Annual Collection Day. Having been involved with the charity for a number of years now, I have witnessed first hand the life-changing effects that involvement in the Special Olympics programme has for athletes in Ulster. By volunteering to collect on April 27th, we can play our part in helping to make a real difference to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.”
In addition to Best, Special Olympics Ambassadors including BBC NI sports reporter, Stephen Watson, Ulster Rugby scrum half Paul Marshall, and a number of Belfast Giants players are amongst the high-profile sports names that have come on board to help ‘Fan the Flame’ for the Special Olympics Ulster Collection Day.
The aim of the Collection Day is to raise funds to support the programme of sports training and competition opportunities offered by Special Olympics, so that every person with an intellectual disability has the opportunity to reap the rewards of participating in sport.
Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster added: “Special Olympics Ulster currently supports over 2,043 athletes in Ulster, with year-round activities in 97 clubs across the region. Our Annual Collection Day on Friday 27th April is the biggest day in our fundraising calendar. With the support of volunteers in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, we will raise vital funds that will allow us to continue to develop the Special Olympics programme across Ulster.
“Even a few hours will make a huge difference and will help us to ensure that we continue to realise our promise of changing the lives of people with an intellectual disability through sport”.
For further information about Special Olympics Ulster’s Collection Day and to sign up to volunteer, visit www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday or phone 028 9023 9023.
Captions:
SOU Annual Collection Day 1:
Ulster Rugby Hero Simon Best, BBC Sports Reporter Stephen Watson, Ulster Rugby Hero Paul Marshall and Ronan McCay, Special Olympics Ulster regional fundraising coordinator, join Special Olympics Ulster athletes Oliver McGee, Una McGarry and Peter McCord to launch the Special Olympics Ulster Annual Collection Day, which will take place on Friday April 27th. Part of the wider Special Olympics Ireland Annual Collection Day, which aims to raise one million across the island of Ireland, collection points will be set up across NI to raise vital funds to support the sports charity’s work in the Ulster region.
Special Olympics Ulster needs volunteers across Northern Ireland to help collect on the day. To register your support, or for further information visit www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday or phone 028 9023 9023.
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***
• Volunteers can sign up for the Special Olympics Ulster Annual Collection Day at www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday or by phone on 028 9023 9023.
• Special Olympics was established in Ulster in 1978.
• Some 2,043 athletes are registered with Special Olympics Ulster, with plans to recruit 100 new athletes per year for the next four years.
• Special Olympics Ulster currently has a network of 97 clubs across Ulster, with plans to identify five new clubs each year for the next four years.
• Special Olympics Ulster’s work is supported by a network of 5,855 volunteers, with plans to recruit and train 150 new volunteers each year for the next four years.
• Special Olympics Ulster currently has 973 coaches active in the programme on an annual basis, with plans to train 100 coaches each year for the next four years.
• Special Olympics Ulster offers training and competitive sporting events in 14 sports: Alpine Skiing, Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Pitch & Putt and Table Tennis.
