SHELBURNE COUNTY, N.S. – It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Shelburne County Special Olympians, who will be sporting new uniforms and using new equipment when they compete thanks to the 100+ Women of Shelburne County Who Care donation received last year.
A new softball team has been added to the Shelburne County Special Olympics roster this year for the Nova Scotia Summer Games at St. Mary’s University in Halifax. The team is already practising. A recent fundraiser at the Barrington Area Lions Hall netted the team almost $3,400 in total donations.
In the meantime, Shelburne Special Olympian Martin Fudge will be competing in individual and team competition at the national five pin bowling championships in P.E.I. on May 14 to 20.
“I’m looking forward to it big time,” said Fudge.
“Just to go there and to compete for my hometown and the province, it’s just an honour,” he said, adding he will be trying to bring home gold for Shelburne if he can. “The most important thing is to go there and try and make friends from all over Canada and just be proud to go there and to have fun and try and do your best. That’s my number one goal.”
A fundraiser in support of Fudge’s trip to the national bowling championships is planned for Sunday, April 8 at the Shelburne Lions Hall. A Dutch Auction, bake sale and variety show is on the agenda. Fudge said he has been getting “good support from the community” with businesses from as far away as Pubnico donating to the cause.
“I’m hoping I can get support from the whole county” to attend the fundraiser, he said. “I’ve got lots of nice stuff. I’m hoping I can get the support.”
Two other Shelburne County Special Olympians will also be competing on the national stage this year. Track and field athletes Ashlee Rennehan, Shelburne, and Daniel Hopkins, Lockeport will be both be competing at the national summer games in Antigonish from July 29 to Aug 4.
