Special Olympics providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities (From Thisisdorset)

Special Olympics providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities

2:00pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in Latest

GOOD CAUSE: Hillingdon Special Olympics

In our latest profile on charities that need your help, we take a look at Special Olympics.

Special Olympics provides year round opportunities for people with learning disabilities of all ability levels, aged 8 upwards, to train and compete in 25 sports.

Special Olympics Bournemouth & District started in 1997 with four adults training and competing in athletics.

Currently, there are almost 50 performers in the sports of athletics, badminton, football, table tennis, swimming and powerlifting.

Why the community needs this charity We aim to enhance the lives of people with learning disabilities through sport.

We will develop motor, cognitive and technical skills in different sports.

We will also improve overall physical fitness, core skills in balance, flexibility, co-ordination and agility and improve social and emotional development.

Special Olympics National Summer Games 2013 Financially support 26 learning disabled athletes to enter the Summer Games. Entry is £375 each to cover, travel, accommodation, meals, entry fees and kit Why they need our service?

Majority of athletes are on benefits because of their disability and not in a position to fully fund the £375 cost Plan and expected results The athletes would be able to compete in the biggest National event for Special Olympics but these Games only comes round every four years so it essential that they get the opportunity to test themselves against performers from all over Britain.

They would be in a tournament of over 2,000 other athletes taking part across 12 sports in one of the biggest multi-sports tournaments in Britain during 2013.

Examples of how your donation might help £25 will fund the athlete's sport specific kit, £75 pays the deposit for an athlete to secure a place, £150 will almost fund half the entry fee l To donate, please go to: localgiving.com/charity/specialolympicsbournemouth