Monday, 13 July 2009

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES KICK STARTED NATIONWIDE TORCH RUN AT MUCH WENLOCK

On Sunday 12 July, Special Olympics athletes from the West Midlands region joined local MP’s and representatives from police forces across Great Britain in Much Wenlock, home of the Modern Olympic Games to celebrate the official lighting of the Special Olympics torch ‘Flame of Hope’.  The  2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Great Britain, supported by National Grid will transport the ‘Flame of Hope’ across 45 towns and cities before arriving in Leicester on Saturday 25th July to mark the official opening of the 2009 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games.

Attending the lighting ceremony during the Much Wenlock 123rd Olympian Games, were past Olympians Robbie Brightwell MBE (silver 1964 Olympics athletics), Ann Packer Brightwell MBE (silver and gold 1964 Olympics athletics), Tom Godwin (2 bronze 1948 Olympics cycling), and Paul Anderson (bronze 1968 Olympics sailing and SOGB Vice Chairman), along with dignitaries Mayor Tim Pinches,  MP Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP and Chairman of London 2012 All Parliamentary Group), MP Philip Dunne (Ludlow), MP DCC Eyre (Leicestershire Constabulary), Steve Humphries (Games Director SOL 2009), SOL 2009 mascot Solly the Lion,  and dozens of Special Olympics Great Britain athletes from Shropshire and the West Midlands. The Flame of Hope was welcomed by Much Wenlock Olympian Society President Roy Rogers in front of a crowd of hundreds.

Following the lighting ceremony in Much Wenlock, the Flame of Hope will be escorted by representatives from police forces across Great Britain through some of the UK’s major cities, including Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and London before reaching Leicester where it will be welcomed by a range of celebrity supporters to mark the start of the 2009 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games.

296 Special Olympics athletes from the West Midlands region will be taking part in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games. Set to be the biggest Games to date, it will attract over 2,400 athletes, 1,200 coaches, 1,500 volunteers and 6,000 families where they will participate in a week of Olympic-style sports competitions in the largest multi-sports event in the UK this year.

Lawrie McMenemy MBE, Chairman of Special Olympics Great Britain, said: “I am delighted that the lighting ceremony is taking place at the home of the Modern Olympic Games, it is a symbolic beginning for the nationwide Law Enforcement Torch Run® and a great opportunity to get behind the athletes and support them in the run up to the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games.”

Julian Buttery from National Grid, said: “As the Official Partner of Special Olympics Great Britain, we are delighted to be supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run® in the lead up to the National Summer Games in Leicester.  At National Grid we are committed and fully supportive of this special charity and hundreds of National Grid volunteers are already enjoying and benefiting from their involvement in the Special Olympics Movement.”
Special Olympics Great Britain is the country’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with learning disabilities. Special Olympics Great Britain is recognised as the third member of the Olympic family and is a separate organisation to the Paralympics.

THE FLAME OF HOPE ROUTE
July 12th    Much Wenlock               
July 13th    Newcastle    
July 14th    Leeds                       
July 15th    Manchester
July 16th    Northampton                   
July 16th    Slough
July 17th    London

The Flame of Hope – Final Leg
July 22nd    Wymondham, Morley St Botolph, Great Ellingham, Rockland St Peter, Lower Stow Beddon, Great Hockham, Stonebridge, Hockwood Cum Wilton, Chatteris
July 23rd    Ramsey, Ramsey St Mary’s, Holme, Glatton, Great Gidding / Chapel End, Fayway,             Titchmarsh, Thrapston, Woodwell, Panford St John, Isham, Oringbury, Broughton, Scaldwell, Brixworth, Creaton, West Haddon, Watford                    
July 24th    Birdingbury, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Cubbington, Baginton, Shilton, Bulkington,   Brancote, Hinckley    
July 25th    National Summer Games Leicester Opening Ceremony, Walker Stadium, Leicester

ENDS
www.sol2009.com                                

www.specialolympicsgb.org

For further information please contact:
Nina Cresswell at Lexis Sport: Tel 020 7908 6406, Email: ncresswell@lexispr.com

To get involved please contact:
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, North Yorkshire Police HQ
Tel: 01609 789149 Email: tim.madgwick@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Police Sergeant Robert Chandler -  Tel: 0207 2309805 Email: robert.chandler@met.police.uk
Superintendent for South Norfolk District, Paul Sanford - Tel: 01842 222769 Email: sanfordp@norfolk.pnn.police.uk