IRELAND’S SPECIAL OLYMPIC team has today been making a drive to raise €500,000 in 24 hours.
The money donated today will go towards funding the Irish team to travel to Los Angeles for the Summer Games at the end of July.
In total 88 athletes who have been in training for the past four years will make the trip.
They will be competing against athletes from 176 other nations in track and field events as well as a number of other disciplines.
Ireland last hosted the Special Olympics in 2003 and athletes from around the world were looked after by cities, towns and villages around the country.
The funding drive has also been supported by Irish actor Colin Farrell. The 38-year-old issued video message calling on people to donate what they can, and said the cause was, “one that is very close to my heart and I believe close to the hearts of the people of Ireland”.
The collection drive has seen 3,500 volunteers taking to the streets with buckets in 200 towns across Ireland.
Special Olympics Ireland currently has more than 9,000 athletes taking part in 15 sports in 370 clubs around the country.
You can donate to Special Olympics Ireland by texting the world ‘Special’ to 50300 to donate €2 or by giving to a bucket collector.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say