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Day 2
Monday 27th July 2009
FUNDING BOOST FOR THE NATIONAL SUMMER GAMES ON DAY TWO
A cheque for £25,000 was presented to Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games today by the Mark Master Masons for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The presentation was made in front of the cauldron at the heart of the Games Village and saw the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Master Mason’s Degree, R.W. Bro. Anthony Morris pass on the cheque to National Games Chairman, Ted Cassidy, accompanied by Special Olympics East Midlands athletes Nick Doggett and Jenny Jones.
Bro Anthony Morris said, “It is once again a privilege to be able to support such a worthwhile cause as Special Olympics and we hope that this donation will assist the organisation’s important work”.
Deputy Provincial Grand Master V.W.Bro. Peter S. Green said, “We are very proud to be associated with such a tremendous charity that does so much good work. The fact that the games are being held in Leicester is particularly special for us.”
The cheque was split with £15,000 being donated towards the National Games 09 Legacy Programme and £10,000 for the Healthy Athletes Programme. This is on top of the £25,000 cheque kindly donated by the Mark Master Masons for Leicestershire and Rutland for the SOGB World Winter Games team.
Highlights from the second day of sport include:
24-year-old Gymnastics gold medallist Philip Davis from Grater London started his qualifications today and hopes his performance in this year’s Special Olympics in Leicester will earn him a place on the national side for the next summer games in 2011.
Philip, seven-time gold medallist, was also a torch bearer for the games, and travelled to 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown.
He said: “It was great to meet him; it was his son’s third birthday party, so for him to take the time out to meet us was great.” Phillip’s qualifications finish tomorrow.
In swimming, members of the North West team, Emma Calvert, Richard Perris and Georgina Hume all raced today. The North West team have a great pedigree in swimming, and have topped the medal table at past events.
Georgina Hume is the competitors ambassador for Special Olympics and meets the board every month. Georgina began training when she was just six at Special Olympics level, and took part in competitive events at the age of eight. She switched to swimming from gymnastics in 1997.
Other Events
The Bike Roadshow
Cycling is not just for the athletes this week at Abbey Park. Visitors who bring their bikes will have park and woodland areas opened up for them to cycle through. On top of this, C2C and Cycle Magic will be running a road show designed to teach visitors about all the different bikes that the athletes use. Bikes at the showcase will include bmx, tricycles, karts, and tandem.
‘The Mountain Within’ – Cinema Showing
The showcase cinema in Leicester has the second ever viewing of the film 'Mountain Within.' The team follows a team of multi-ability climbers tackling Mount Kilimanjaro, and shows the struggles the individuals have to go through to reach the top. Proceeds from the film will help to raise funds for Special Olympics GB.
Special Olympics Great Britain is a charity that provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with learning disabilities. In addition to the 2400 athletes taking part, the city of Leicester also welcomes over 1,200 coaches, 6,000 families and over 1,500 volunteers. Nineteen venues across the region are playing host to the sporting events, with Leicester City Football Club the setting for the Games Village and the Universities of De Montfort and Leicester housing the athletes during Games week.
NEWS FROM TENNIS AT KNIGHTON TENNIS CENTRE
The day kicked of with a short round the world game between volunteers. One of the officials who is Romanian was a line judge at Wimbledon at the Murray v Kendrick match. Leigh Foster athlete from East Midlands celebrated his 24th birthday. Special guests today included Derek Mountfield ex Everton footballer, Lady Gretton the Lord Lieutenant of Leicester Jayant Mistry Wimbledon wheel chair champion 2005 and Rendell Munroe super bantam weight common wealth Champion. ITV central came and did some interviews with athletes and Special Olympics film crew also popped in.
NEWS FROM MATP AT EVINGTON LEISURE CENTRE
The MATP event at Evington Leisure Centre saw many personal goals being achieved today. Spectators cheered as a total of 30 medals were handed out during the day. All of the athletes involved have complex and profound disabilities and each award was designed to highlight the achievement of the individual athlete. They are all to be congratulated for such inspiring performances.
NEWS FROM POWERLIFTING AT THE PEEPUL CENTRE
Day one athletes and supporters arrived and settled in. the first day of competition was very exciting and everyone had the chance to get to know each other. Monday 27th Day 2, Lawrie McMenemy visited the event as Chairman of Special Olympics Great Britain. Solly the Lion and Filbert Fox were also able to put their best paw forward for the foot in hand workshop, they are a dance troop of mixed ages.
SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
The official 36 page Games Souvenir Programme is on sale from the Games Village Families tent at £4.00, make sure you get your copy!
For all the latest results from the 2009 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, click here
