National Grid Forms Special Olympic Fund
Special Olympics Great Britain, the country’s largest sports training and competition programme for people with learning disabilities, has announced the formation of a new £100,000 Development Fund by its Premier Partner National Grid .
The funds will be used to support projects within existing clubs and generate new clubs across the country.??
Special Olympics GB CEO Karen Wallin said: ‘For nearly five years, National Grid has proven what its community programme can do for charities like Special Olympics GB. This is a remarkable opportunity for us to really help make a difference and support the needs of our clubs, transforming the lives of many more people with learning disabilities and their families, through sport.’??
The announcement came at the charity’s Annual General Meeting held in Leicester.
National Grid’s Julian Buttery added: ‘We have been working with Special Olympics GB to see how we can create more opportunities for athletes and leave a lasting legacy. I am confident that these grants will provide new opportunities for current and future athletes in communities across Great Britain.’??
Special Olympics GB currently has 135 clubs in 19 regions transforming the lives of over 8000 children and adults with learning disabilities. Each club can apply for up to £2000.??
The goals of the Development Fund for already existing clubs include Capacity-Building through inclusion of new sports, and Programme Enhancement with new initiatives including the Athletes Leadership Programme, which trains and encourages athletes to become spokespersons and leaders in their community.??
The Development Fund will also help to generate new clubs across the country with grants of up to £2000. These new clubs will help to expand our network to reach out and touch the lives of people with learning disabilities from age 8-80.
??’Establishing new Special Olympics programmes of the high quality that people with a learning disability deserve is not a simple or cheap process,’ said Andy Heffer Special Olympics GB Director of Sports and Services.
‘The National Grid Development Fund will make a huge difference to our ability to grow and develop Special Olympics at the local level.’
