Sporting Heroes Launch Special Collection Day

nine Co. Down athletes who have been selected to compete at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens. The Special Olympics Collection Day takes place on Friday 15^th April 2011 with collections taking place at locations throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [caption id="attachment_21663" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Sports stars Simon Best (Ulster rugby) and Martin Clarke (Down GAA) are pictured with Special Olympics athlete Una McGarry at the launch of the fund raising day for the Special Olympics team."][/caption] In Newry, the collection day is being supported by staff from local company FPM Chartered Accountants and other local businesses and schools. Feargal McCormack, Managing Partner, FPM Chartered Accountants said, “We are very hopeful that once again Special Olympics Collection Day will be a huge success. We are grateful for the support of local businesses and schools and hopefully together we can reach our target. Special Olympics is an inspirational organisation and we are delighted to support them. We call on the local community to donate generously on Friday 15^th April 2011”. Mr McCormack, who is also the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Organising Committee, is also holding a collection at St. Peter’s GAC in Warrenpoint. There are currently 2,158 athletes participating in 97 Special Olympics clubs throughout Ulster, making Special Olympics one of the biggest community-based sporting organisations in Northern Ireland.]]>