The Special Olympics needs you! A call has gone out for people across the city to support the sporting extravaganza which heads for Leicester next year.

 

The 2009 Games will take over the City next year and organisers are calling on everyone to get involved and help make the event a roaring success.

 

Yesterday, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Manjula Sood launched the Games at an official celebration with dancing, music and even its own mascot, Solly the Lion, in front of cheering crowds.

 

She said: ‘The Special Olympics raise awareness of the capabilities of people with learning disabilities, and give all those who take part the opportunity to achieve amazing things. They encourage and inspire everyone who is involved in them, and it is my aim to get every citizen involved in the Leicester Games’.

 

Volunteers will be needed to help become stewards, supporters and fundraisers for the Games.

Steve Humphries, Games Director, said: ‘we know we’ve got some major challenges ahead of us – we’ve got to educate people about people with learning disabilities and their abilities and we’ve got to find 1,500 volunteers.

 

There are many other tasks and challenges but together we can overcome them and put on the most memorable and fantastic Games in the history of the Special Olympics’.

 

Ted Cassidy, the Chairman of the Games Board said: ‘There’s going to be 2,700 athletes coming from all over the country in July next year. As soon as they enter the City, they will know something is happening here. It will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives’.

 

The Peepul Centre, scene of the Launch, will host one of the sporting events – powerlifting – in July next year.

 

Rita Patel, Founder President of the Centre said: ‘The whole philosophy of the Peepul Centre is about the greatness of humanity and we believe that’s what the Olympics and the Special Olympics personifies’.

 

Athletes who will take part in the Special Olympics joined in the celebrations.

 

Lee Penfold, from Hinckley, plays basketball for Leicester and District Special Olympics team.

He said: ‘It’s a great honour. I’m looking forward to the Games’.

 

The Mayor’s Appeal will help City and County athletes with learning disabilities to be able to compete in the Games, and help celebrate and research their achievements.

 

More details about the Lord Mayor’s Special Olympics’ Appeal 2008 – 2009 are available by calling the Lord Mayor’s Office on 0116 223 2000.

 

Donations can be sent to: Lord Mayor’s Special Olympics Appeal, C/o A12, New Walk Centre, Welford Place, Leicester, LE1 6ZG.