St Albans charity could win £2,000 National Lottery funding (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans charity could win £2,000 National Lottery funding

9:10am Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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A CHARITY which supports budding athletes who suffer from learning difficulties is one step closer to winning £2,000 to benefit their project.

Special Olympics St Albans has reached the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards 2009 and will have a once-in-a-lifetime of appearing on the BBC 1 awards show of they get to the finals.

The charity was set up to provide individuals with learning difficulties the opportunity to enjoy, as well as learn from, their participation in individual and team sports.

The National Lottery has chosen nine projects it has already funded and the public will vote for the best one to be crowned winner.

A residential activity week, which was made possible for members of Special Olympics thanks to a £9,000 grant from the lottery, was one of the projects from hundreds across the country which stood out for the judges.

Special Olympics provides about 160 inspiring sportsmen and women with weekly training sessions in seven sports, also giving them the chance to compete in local, regional and national games.

The mother of 16-year-old George Patterson has said her son's involvement with the charity has helped him “gain independence and try new things”.

George, who joined Special Olympics six years ago, suffers from Fragile X Syndrome a genetic condition that can cause learning disabilities and severe cognitive problems, often resulting in difficulties with social interaction.

Ruth Nicholls, chair of Special Olympics St Albans and whose son is supported by the charity, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by the National Lottery in their annual search for the UK's favourite lottery funded project.

“Special Olympics St Albans has done so much for my son Philip and the residential activity week has given him opportunities that so many mainstream youngsters take for granted.”

The group is urging people to vote for them to be in with a chance to win the competition. Voting ends on Friday, July 10 and to show your support to the charity visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.