Building society donates cash to help Special Olympians (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Building society donates cash to help Special Olympians

2:38pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News By Graeme Hetherington

SPECIAL Olympians have received a financial boost thanks to a local building society.

The money will help Tim Peacock achieve his dreams of competing in the Special Olympics again after scooping five gold medals in power lifting at the 1997 games.

The Guisborough man has now put down the weights and taken up the more genteel crown green bowling.

And thanks to a donation of £250 from the town’s Darlington Building Society other wannabe Special Olympians will be in with a chance of boosting their training.

This year at the National Games in Bath he will join nine other competitors in the bowls squad in a team of 105 athletes and coaches from the Northern region attending the Special Olympics National games 2013.

Keith Wilcox, northern region chairman of The Special Olympics, said: “As the local regional committee, it is wonderful to get recognition from a local organisation.”

The charity will buy sporting equipment and the donation will help volunteers to hold events such as training and competitions.

Louise Thorpe, office manager, said: “We decided to select The Special Olympics to receive a donation as their excellent work has a direct connection to some of our customers.

More information on the charity can be found at: www.sogb.org.uk