Digicel BVI Ltd. on Tuesday announced its support of the third Annual Special Olympics to be hosted by the Lions and Leo Clubs of the BVI on Saturday, October 11at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

During a press conference at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Digicel CEO Alan Bates presented a financial donation of $1,000 to the President of the Lions Club of Tortola, Carvin Malone.

In his remarks, Malone said the Lions and Leo Clubs are pleased to be staging this event for another year. The children are expected to take part in a day of fun events, such as flat races, bag races, lime and spoon, three legged races and tug of war. The event starts at 9am and the public is invited.

“Sports and recreation for the physically challenged not only results in physical fitness, but also in reducing symptoms of diabetes, hypertension and other ills,” the Lions Club President stated. “The joys of participation and the thrill of victory are immeasurable to each of the children with special needs.”

He underscored the importance of corporate and community support for this event and welcomed Digicel as one of the main sponsors of the programme this year.

Other sponsors include the Ministry of Health and Social Development; the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports; the Association of Parents and Caregivers of Children with Special Needs; government Members of Parliament including Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, Honourable Keith Flax and Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal; Caribbean Basin Enterprises; Newton Construction; Jones Woodwork; Road Town Wholesale; Bobby’s Marketplace; Colonial Insurance; and Equity Trust.

Digicel’s contribution also included over 100 t-shirts, backpacks and other Digicel branded items for the volunteers. In addition, the CEO and several of his staff members will be attending and volunteering at the event on Saturday.

“As you know, Digicel is preparing to launch in the BVI market very soon, and we’re very keen to support community activities,” Bates said as he made the presentation.

“We have a long affinity with Special Olympics going back as far as 2003 when our Chairman Mr. Denis O’Brien chaired the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland , the first time the event was held outside the U.S. We salute the Lions Club for hosting this event in the BVI, and we pledge Digicel’s support going forward.”

Assistant Director responsible for the Sporting Division of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Patrick Harrigan, said the department stands ready to assist with any programme that assists with the development of the youth.

Harrigan, who is also Director of the BVI Grasshoppers, also committed to bringing the group back this year to give a jump rope demonstration at this weekend’s event and provide training to the children with special needs during a workshop. “From the department’s standpoint, we would like to see this day develop into a regional competition between the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands, and this, we would continue to sponsor as well,” he said.

The Lions Club of Tortola is a member of Lions International, a worldwide service organisation in over 202 countries with over 45,000 clubs and a membership exceeding 1.3 million. Its motto is “To Serve”.

In addition to the Special Olympics programme, other club projects include the Primary Schools Sight initiative, assisting with the development of a BVI Tennis Academy , the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Christmas Gift Basket delivery to the elderly.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment