Members of the Special Olympic Grampian Area (SOGA) Ski Group were celebrating today having been awarded £1,000 by the Charity and Sponsorship Committee of transport giant, FirstGroup.
The SOGA Ski Group, a registered charity that supports people with intellectual disabilities, applied for funding to help build their team for the 2016 GB National Ski Competition. The group, who won an incredible 10 medals at the 2012 GB National Ski Competition, hope to continue its success by using the money to invest in one-to-one instructor training.
“Our aim is to have as many of our squad as possible at a level whereby they can compete in the 2016 Competition,” said Jim Purdie, Chairman of SOGA Ski Group: “We are delighted that FirstGroup has donated £1,000.
“We see a real transformation in the confidence and development of the children and young adults who, because of their learning difficulties, might not ordinarily have the chance to participate in sport. The group is going from strength to strength and FirstGroup’s funding will go a long way to help the team improve.”
Jim’s son Luke Purdie (19) has already had a taste of success after being selected to represent Great Britain and in the Special Olympic Winter Games in South Korea, held between January 26 and February 6 this year.
Luke said: “Ski-ing is my passion and I was very proud to have had the opportunity to compete at the Special Winter Olympics. I hope to be back in 2016.”
Katie Smart, FirstGroup’s CSR and Community Manager and a member of the Charity and Sponsorship Committee said: “The FirstGroup Charity and Sponsorship Committee is delighted to be able to help fund SOGA Ski Group and we wish them well in their aim to compete in the 2016 GB National Ski Competition.”