THOUSANDS of volunteers are hitting the streets today with raise funds for Special Olympics.

From 7am this morning, 4,000 volunteers took their bibs and buckets to 200 locations around the country to help ensure people with an intellectual disability can participate in sport.

Organisers were hopeful that the fine weather in many parts of the country will boost the collection on what is the key fundraising day for the organisation.

Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland urged people to give what they can to support us.

"Special Olympics does change lives," he said, adding that it gave people with an intellectual disability "dignity, self-confidence" and helped them become healthier.

He said the organisation would not stop looking for volunteers and money until every one of the 42,000 people in the country with a disability were able to participate in sport".

Currently, the organisation supports 11,000 athletes from 400 clubs to compete at local, regional and world level.

Athlete Stuart Brierton, from Bray, Co Wicklow, is currently in training with his eye on the Special Olympics world event in Los Angeles next year.

Stuart (15) competes in swimming, badminton and alpine skiing, and won three medals in South Korea.

Asked what Special Olympics has done for him, Stuart said "I've got skill, confidence. I've got nerve".

"And girlfriends," added his dad Tony, with a smile.

Mum Karen said getting involved in Special Olympics had been an "amazing journey" for the whole family.

Before that, it was difficult for Stuart to participate in sport as not everyone understood when he did something wrong.

She said it was great to see how the athletes managed to communicate in South Korea despite not being able to talk to each other.

"They did not need language. They were high five-ing and hugging each other. These were people who had never met each other before. It would lift your spirits," she said.

The public can support Special Olympics on the day by donating to one of the on-street collectors or by texting the word SPECIAL to 50300 to donate €2. (100% of the €2 donation will go to Special Olympics Ireland).

Donations can also be made on the Special Olympic's website.

Online Editors