Special Olympics To Walk Convex End-To-End
[Written by Stephen Wright]
A group of the island’s Special Olympics athletes will team up for the Convex End-to-End charity walk next Saturday [April 27].
Special Olympics Bermuda, which serves athletes with intellectual disabilities, are regular participants in the End-to-End and will make the journey from Somerset Police Station to Dockyard as part of the three-mile fun walk.
Chandra-Lee Bascome, the Special Olympics Bermuda treasurer director, said the organisation’s long-term goal is to create an “inclusion mindset” within the community and raise awareness of its programmes.
She expects around 17 athletes, plus family and friends, to participate in the annual event.
“When we returned from the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi in 2019, we wanted to build on that momentum,” Ms Bascome told Bernews.
“We wanted to get our faces out in the community to create an inclusion mindset among the general population and started participating in the End-to-End.
“It’s a time for our athletes and their families to come together and enjoy the atmosphere of the End-to-End.”
It promises to be an enjoyable weekend for the organisation, whose athletes will also compete in the Special Olympics Celebration at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix at Flora Duffy Stadium the following day.
“It was great for our athletes to receive an invite for the Grand Prix,” said Ms Bascome, a Special Olympics bowling coach.
“Usually, we have to push our way into things, so it’s great that people see us and think of us for their sporting events.”
The three-mile fun walk, sponsored by Athene, goes from Beacon Hill, Sandys to Dockyard and is suitable for families with small children.
Athene is also sponsoring the Special Olympics team for the third year in a row.
Natasha Scotland Courcy, the chief executive officer and general counsel of Athene Life Re, said: “We continue to sponsor the 5K Fun Walk and the Special Olympics team because we believe in and support inclusion.
“This event is a great opportunity to bring awareness to our Special Olympics athletes and for people of all athletic abilities to enjoy the day.”
Money raised during this year’s Convex End-to-End fundraiser will benefit eight organisations.
Funds raised will go towards Action on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Raleigh International, Transformational Living Centre, WindReach and the Coalition for the Protection of Children.
St John’s Ambulance, the Horticultural Skills Programme and the top participating school will also receive funds.
