Former Ulster and Ireland international rugby star, Simon Best is one of a number of leading Northern Ireland sports stars that has pledged their support to the Special Olympics Ulster Collection Day, which will take place on Friday 27th April 2012. <\/p>\n
Part of the wider Special Olympics Ireland Annual Collection Day, which aims to raise one million across the island of Ireland, collection points will be set up across NI to raise vital funds to support the sports charity\u2019s work in the Ulster region. <\/p>\n
Simon Best\u2019s voice can currently be heard on promotional ads airing on radio stations across Northern Ireland, urging people to help out on the day by volunteering to collect in towns and cities across Northern Ireland<\/p>\n
Commenting at the launch of the recruitment drive, he said: \u201cI am proud to fan the flame for Special Olympics Ulster\u2019s Annual Collection Day. Having been involved with the charity for a number of years now, I have witnessed first hand the life-changing effects that involvement in the Special Olympics programme has for athletes in Ulster. By volunteering to collect on April 27th, we can play our part in helping to make a real difference to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.\u201d <\/p>\n
In addition to Best, Special Olympics Ambassadors including BBC NI sports reporter, Stephen Watson, Ulster Rugby scrum half Paul Marshall, and a number of Belfast Giants players are amongst the high-profile sports names that have come on board to help \u2018Fan the Flame\u2019 for the Special Olympics Ulster Collection Day. <\/p>\n
The aim of the Collection Day is to raise funds to support the programme of sports training and competition opportunities offered by Special Olympics, so that every person with an intellectual disability has the opportunity to reap the rewards of participating in sport. <\/p>\n
Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster added: \u201cSpecial Olympics Ulster currently supports over 2,043 athletes in Ulster, with year-round activities in 97 clubs across the region. Our Annual Collection Day on Friday 27th April is the biggest day in our fundraising calendar. With the support of volunteers in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, we will raise vital funds that will allow us to continue to develop the Special Olympics programme across Ulster. <\/p>\n
\u201cEven a few hours will make a huge difference and will help us to ensure that we continue to realise our promise of changing the lives of people with an intellectual disability through sport\u201d.<\/p>\n
For further information about Special Olympics Ulster\u2019s Collection Day and to sign up to volunteer, visit www.specialolympics.ie\/collectionday<\/a> or phone 028 9023 9023. <\/p>\n Captions:
\nSOU Annual Collection Day 1:
\nUlster Rugby Hero Simon Best, BBC Sports Reporter Stephen Watson, Ulster Rugby Hero Paul Marshall and Ronan McCay, Special Olympics Ulster regional fundraising coordinator, join Special Olympics Ulster athletes Oliver McGee, Una McGarry and Peter McCord to launch the Special Olympics Ulster Annual Collection Day, which will take place on Friday April 27th. Part of the wider Special Olympics Ireland Annual Collection Day, which aims to raise one million across the island of Ireland, collection points will be set up across NI to raise vital funds to support the sports charity\u2019s work in the Ulster region.
\nSpecial Olympics Ulster needs volunteers across Northern Ireland to help collect on the day. To register your support, or for further information visit www.specialolympics.ie\/collectionday<\/a> or phone 028 9023 9023.
\nPicture credit: Oliver McVeigh \/ SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***<\/p>\n