SPECIAL OLYMPICS SURREY WINS A 2008 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER HEALTHCARE WEYBRIDGE HEALTH AWARD

October 8, 2008

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SURREY WINS A 2008 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER HEALTHCARE WEYBRIDGE HEALTH AWARD

 This year one of the five recipients of the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK CH) Weybridge Health Awards was Special Olympics Surrey (SOS) who were invited to an awards evening at the GSK CH Weybridge Innovation Centre on 24th September 08 to receive an award of £5,000 for use as core funding and project work. SOS will receive support from GSK CH Weybridge staff throughout the following year in the form of fund-raising and volunteer projects. 

Funding from the 2008 GSK CH Weybridge Health Award will allow 'Taster Sessions' to commence within the Boroughs so that disabled people can access sport such as boccia, athletics, swimming, football, among others, under the banner of Special Olympics. Currently, SOS has 50 athletes who have registered and the goal for 2009 is to register 200.

 SOS was inaugurated at Epsom College in September 07 and this event was attended by the Mayors of the County plus the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and the High Sheriff of Surrey who all pledged support for Special Olympics. SOS are currently inviting all the Boroughs in the Surrey to come on board as 'Sporting Partners' so that as many disabled people from the age of  8–80 can have the benefit of being a part of Special Olympics Inc., the largest charitable sporting organisation in the world for people with learning disabilities.

 SOS/GB Skier Greg Friend from Cobham received the award from the Mayor of Elmbridge.  Greg is part of the 10-strong GB team which flies to Idaho, USA, in February 09 to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Alpine Games.

Cheque presentation