Member Article

Veteran volunteers guide Special Olympics athletes to success

While the majority of the nation has been cheering on the likes of Froome, Wiggins, Trott and Kenny at this year’s Rio Olympics, a team of cyclists closer to home have just picked up six golds and one bronze at the Special Olympics Great Britain National Cycling Competition.

Five athletes from Special Olympics Gateshead headed to Greater Manchester last month to compete in the national competition, which was held in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside.

The club points its success to the special partnership it has developed with the veterans’ Launchpad charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Two volunteers from the veterans’ charity Launchpad, who themselves are qualified bike ride champions and leaders, have been supporting the athletes every week for the last three months to develop their cycling skills and prepare them for competition.

Based at Gateshead International Stadium, the club provides weekly training and competition opportunities for people with disabilities. As well as cycling, Special Olympics Gateshead provide training in archery, athletics, boccia, football, swimming, table tennis, ten pin bowling and powerlifting.

The club, which has won a host of other awards, is hoping to raise £17,000 to take 32 of its athletes to the National Games which will be held in Sheffield next year. A sponsorship page has been set up and all money raised will cover the cost of clothing, equipment, transportation and accommodation for the event.

Launchpad provides extensive housing, employment and welfare support for veterans living at Avondale House in Byker. Former RAF veteran Lofty Rames who is facilities’ manager at Avondale House and also one of the volunteers, said: “Myself and one of the other veterans, Jon Clasper have been working with the Special Olympics Gateshead sporting club for the last couple of months and it is fantastic to see how much enthusiasm and determination they get from this sport.

“We have been teaching them how to cycle, stay safe and have passed on some of the skills we have learnt to people who need it. We have also started teaching archery and are just thrilled to be able to support their athletes and work with the club and the local community. We are immensely proud of what they have achieved and are confident they could achieve even more in the future.”

Keith Hogan, chair of Special Olympics Gateshead, said: “If there was ever an example of the transformative power that can be achieved by people ‘giving back to their local community’, then it lies with our partnership with AF&V Launchpad.

“The charity and in particular, Lofty and Jon, have been instrumental in their support towards the club and our athletes, helping them to develop their skills, preparing them to become physically fitter and develop their feelings of self-worth. The praise and encouragement they have provided has been crucial in five of the club’s cyclists being able to use their skills and confidence to perform wonderfully well at the national championships in Ashton-under-Lyne.”

To donate and help the athletes on their journey to Sheffield next year, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/SpecialOlympicsGateshead or to donate to Launchpad, please visit www.givey.com/launchpad

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Up North Communications .