Torch comes to Orewa
Hibiscus Coast Special Olympians walked the Olympic torch through Orewa this week to raise money to support their travels.
On October 5, around 19 Olympians and their family and friends met members of the police and Silverdale Fire Service at the Sir Edmund Hillary statue to light the torch.
Committee member Kathy Woomack said the torch was travelling around the world and it was the first time some of the athletes had seen it.
On the last week of November, Special Olympics New Zealand is holding the National Games in Wellington.
Nineteen Hibiscus Coast athletes will participate in sports such as swimming, equestrian and tenpin bowling.
Bowler Monique Everitt said she is excited about the games.
‘‘I am very excited. Today is also very cool because we get to walk around with the police,’’ she said.
The National Games are held every four years and if the athletes win gold in any of their sports it will qualify them for the World Games.
‘‘We have to raise a total of $27,000 and we are halfway there,’’ Woomack said.
‘‘We will be running a number of sausage sizzles around Silverdale over the next couple of months, so if you see us please come and support us.’’
Please visit the team’s Givealittle page to offer support.