Information on Loughborough

MP Calls for Long Term Funding Certainty for Special Olympics

Posted on 26/01/2010
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Andy Reed MP urged Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP to do more to fund the Special Olympics and Special Olympics athletes in the Commons this week.

Speaking at DCMS Questions Andy Reed, who sat on the Board of the Leicester Special Olympics 2009 in Leicester, said that more needed to be done between games to support Special Olympics GB and their ongoing work.

Andy said:

"I have continued to work with SOGB to find a long term security of funding for their work. They get great sponsors like National Grid but I am hoping government will recognise the contribution that is made by special Olympic athletes and how much they benefit not just at games time but throughout the year"

Mr. Andy Reed (Loughborough) (Lab/Co-op): Those hon. Members who were present for the Special Olympics in Leicester in 2009 will be aware that it leaves a lasting legacy, but what can Ministers do to ensure long-term support and funding for Special Olympics Great Britain so that not just Leicester but the rest of the country can benefit?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe): I congratulate my hon. Friend on his work for the Special Olympics in Leicester. He is quite right: sport should be available to everybody and be inclusive of everybody. We are working with other Departments, including the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions, to see what we can do to fund the Special Olympics in all its formats.