Special Olympics Ireland is calling on the public to show their support for its grassroots programmes by donating generously on Collection Day, Friday 21st April.

Collection Day is the charity’s largest and most important fundraising day and from early this morning, 3,000 volunteers will hit the streets in a bid to help the charity raise €350,000 in vital funding.

Nearly 8,000 athletes benefit from the sports training, competition, health and leadership programmes provided by Special Olympics Ireland in clubs throughout the country every day.

In addition to offering 15 sports, Special Olympics is focused on providing critical early intervention for children from as young as 4 years old, through its Young Athlete clubs. Its Health and Leadership Programmes also help athletes to learn new skills, become more independent and take an active role in their own health.

This Collection Day is happening in a particularly exciting year, as 73 athletes and a team of coaching and management personnel will travel to represent Ireland in the World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.

The excitement and activity of the Games would not be possible without the efforts of volunteers, coaches and staff on a day-to-day grassroots level in clubs across the island. Sport for Business will be following their progress as the final preparations are made for travelling to Berlin.

Special Olympics athlete Dearbhail Savage who will travel to compete in golf Berlin in June made it clear how important grassroots are when she said

“I love training with my club, I get to go to the World Games but training with the club and my coaches is the most fun.”

“Our grassroots programmes are the foundation of everything we do at Special Olympics Ireland,” said CEO Matt English.

“They provide athletes with intellectual disabilities with the opportunity to participate in sports, make new friends, and achieve their goals. We are incredibly proud of the impact these programmes have had on the lives of so many athletes across the country, and we are determined to continue to support them in any way we can.”

Every donation, no matter how small, can make a big difference to the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families.

You can support the collection day appeal at www.specialolympics.ie