Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police and Special Olympics athletes from the Counties, Howick and Pakuranga club are poised for a walk around the Manukau Velodrome on Saturday 15 October at 10am, to support the nationwide Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
The Freemasons New Zealand Special Olympics National Summer Games are being held from 8 to 12 December in Hamilton. A contingent of New Zealand Police will walk alongside Special Olympics local athletes and carry the ‘Flame of Hope’ this Saturday.
The flame symbolises courage, celebrates diversity, and unites communities around the globe with over 97,000 law enforcement members carrying the ‘Flame of Hope’ at events annually.
Inspector Mark Harrison, chair of the LETR New Zealand Charitable Trust and New Zealand LETR director, says: “The ‘Flame of Hope’ represents courage, opportunity and equality and represents LETRs mission of engaging law enforcement worldwide to be champions for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.”
Acting Inspector Anson Lin, Area Prevention Manager of Counties Manukau East is proud to be involved in this leg of the torch journey and says: “We are honoured to be supporting such a terrific event and we’re wishing our amazing athletes the best and hope they enjoy the games.”
Special Olympics chief executive Carolyn Young is excited to see the nationwide Law Enforcement Torch Run weaving its way around the country and reaching Manukau this week to mark the final countdown to the National Summer Games.
“Our clubs have been building up to our pinnacle event for five years, and the LETR is a wonderful way to raise awareness around the country and to get everyone excited about the National Summer Games,” says Young.
“We are very grateful to the New Zealand Police for being such a fantastic partner in this event for so many years and we hope the people of Manukau and the rest of the country will come out in numbers to show their support for our athletes.”
The torch will be travelling through most major centres in New Zealand in the next two months.
Note to media:
Media are invited to attend the Law Enforcement Torch Run and photographers are welcome. Special Olympics New Zealand will also be photographing the event and is happy to supply images to media as requested.
Media, please enter via Te Irirangi Drive, turn left at the first roundabout and drive west to find the first carpark. Before they head off, the walkers will be met by Police and other emergency services staff at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
From there, athletes and supporters start their march towards the Greyhound Racing function centre, then double back to the car park with a police car bringing up the rear.
For more information about the Counties Manukau run contact:
Acting Inspector Anson Lin New Zealand Police 021 191 0692
Rowena Massey Special Olympics Counties, Howick, Pakuranga 021 921 902
For general information about the Torch Run contact:
Inspector Mark Harrison New Zealand Police 021 190 7805
Coen Lammers Media Manager Special Olympics New Zealand 021 730 239
To find out more about the Special Olympics National Summer Games visit www.SpecialOlympics.org.nz
