Sheffield football legends Tony Currie and David Hirst, together with The Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Talib Hussain, have today officially launched the ‘Volunteers Programme’ for Special Olympics GB’s National Games.
The Games will be held in Sheffield in August 2017. Sheffield icons Currie and Hirst will become two of the first National Games Volunteers to sign up and get involved – something available to all members of the public. Special Olympics GB athletes Niall Guite and Alex Thompson will also be present to support The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Talib Hussain, and Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Denise Fox.
In the region of 750 volunteers plus an additional 150 officials are required to ensure the successful running of the Games and Special Olympics GB is hoping this launch will encourage individuals, businesses and their employees to come forward and get involved. Special Olympics GB is thrilled to have long-term supporter, Coca-Cola Enterprises, backing the Volunteers Programme at the 2017 National Games. Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities.
The National Summer Games will open on Monday 7th August, with an opening ceremony the following day and competition will continue until Friday 11th August 2017. In the region of 2,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities will take part in 19 sports events. It is the showpiece event every four years for the organisation and its athletes. Almost 1.5 million people in the UK (2% of the population) have an intellectual disability.
Special Olympics GB Games Volunteer Ambassador and Sheffield United legend Tony Currie, said:
“Being so associated with the great city of Sheffield, I am delighted to support the 2017 National Summer Games being held in the city.”
Fellow Games Ambassador and Sheffield Wednesday hero David Hirst, commented:
“Special Olympics GB athletes are heading to these Games with great skill, passion and dreams. I am thrilled to play a small part in supporting this great event.”
Karen Wallin, Special Olympics GB’s CEO, said:
“Volunteers will create a backdrop of energy and enthusiasm to fuel the National Games in Sheffield from start to finish. Our Team 2017 volunteers will create a spirit and atmosphere that will encourage all of our athletes to compete and achieve their potential and personal best. This is a unique sporting event where volunteers play an integral role in the planning, preparation, staging and success of the Games, the 2,600 competing athletes will be supported by around 800 coaches and assistants, who are also all volunteers. It will be a very special games and another opportunity for volunteers to come together as one team with one goal.”
“To achieve this goal, Special Olympics GB needs volunteers for catering, accommodation, administration, transport, logistics, photography, hospitality, athlete entertainment, stewarding, information, merchandising, volunteer liaison and communication and of course, volunteers will also be required for the field of play to support our competition managers and officials. From today we will be actively recruiting a team of 750 volunteers for the five day period of the Games and are very excited at the prospect of welcoming new volunteers to Special Olympics GB from all sections of the community.”
Take Part! Volunteer
If you would like to find out more about volunteering at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games or you would like to complete the online registration, please visit the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games website – the online registration to recruit 150 additional officials also goes live this week. In total, 900 volunteers are required overall.
