Leader congratulates Special Olympics City of York on funding success

12.00.00am GMT Thu 30th Oct 2008

Leader of City of York Council, Andrew Waller, is congratulating Special Olympics City of York on being awarded £50, 000 by Norwich Union.

The Norwich Union Community Sports Fund awarded grants across the region to community sports groups, and considered each of the 12 regional silver award winners before deciding that Special Olympics City of York should receive the Gold award of £50,000.

The panel of judges included Olympians Sally Gunnell and Darren Campbell, as well as BBC Breakfast sports presenter Chris Hollins.

The Special Olympics City of York committee organise, promote and run regular training sessions for budding athletes with learning disabilities, so they can compete at a local, regional and national level. The training sessions are mainly in four sports: Boccia, Football, Athletics and Tennis.

Cllr Andrew Waller said:

"I would like to congratulate Special Olympics City of York on this fantastic achievement. I know that this money will allow them to fund participation in national and international competitions, and to host local, regional and national competitions for people with learning disabilities.

"Since it began last year, Special Olympics City of York has done a huge amount in encouraging and allowing people with learning disabilities to participate in sports in York. To continue and build on its valuable work, it needs more funding, and this grant from Norwich Union will help it improve facilities and allow its athletes to compete regionally and nationally.

"I would also like to thank Norwich Union for setting up this fantastic community fund, which will really benefit Special Olympics City of York and many other sports organisations across the region who have also been awarded grants."