Special Olympics athletes prepare for summer games

Athletes with learning disabilities preparing for the Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games have held a celebration reception.

Special Olympics Suffolk is sending 58 competitors in tennis, badminton, boccia, gymnastics and athletics to events held in Wrexham, Nottingham and Birmingham between June and August.

Boccia player Ashley Lennon from Ipswich said: "It's really exciting. I love Boccia and taking part in other games. So far I've got a silver and a bronze."

A send-off for the athletes was held at The Hold on the Ipswich waterfront on Tuesday.

The group also contributed to Suffolk Archive's current exhibition there: Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk.

The collection shares stories of the lives and experiences of disabled people across the county, encouraging conversations about accessibility, equality, and the work that still needs to be done.

Eppy, 12, from Bungay is competing in the gymnastics, but is also progressing to a high level in judo.

"I'm a bit nervous but excited. I've just got to remember to do my best," she said.

"I really like floor because you get to express yourself and you can show off your skills and I also really like bars."

Her mother, Adelaide, added: "We're so proud of her, seeing how hard she trains... she gives it her all."

In previous years Suffolk athletes have been successful in National and International competitions, including winning a collection of gold and silver medals at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Freedie Peecock, from Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, competes in badminton and has gold medals from singles and doubles.

"I'm always aiming for gold. I like to be competitive at my sports," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

Special Olympics Suffolk is a non-profit, community-based organisation, providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with learning disabilities.

Allison Boggis, chairperson of Special Olympics Suffolk, said: "We've got such a dedicated bunch of volunteers.

"We're so grateful for them because they're giving up so much time in preparing our athletes to take part in the summer games."

Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands and East at The National Heritage Lottery Fund, said Beyond Labels was a "brilliant example" of a project encouraging greater inclusion, access, and participation within heritage that the organisation was committed to supporting.

"Thanks to funding from National Lottery players, Suffolk Archives have recorded and preserved the stories of people with disabilities in Suffolk, past and present, so that their lives can be shared and celebrated," she said.

The exhibition is free and runs until Saturday 30 May.

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