Lewis shines at Special Olympics
Coca-Cola worker lends support
Coca-Cola East Kilbride worker Lewis Deans joined hundreds of volunteers taking part in the Special Olympics GB (SOGB) 40th Anniversary Games.
Lewis – who has worked as a technician at Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) for 18 months – travelled to Stirling for this month’s Games which saw 1400 athletes with intellectual disabilities compete in sports like swimming, badminton, boccia, table tennis and athletics over five days.
As part of his volunteering role, the 25-year-old from Greenhills assisted in the opening ceremony, as well as helping out with the football element of the Games – setting up the pitches for each competition and cheering on the athletes from the sidelines.
He also spent a day at the cycling track supporting competitors.
Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, helping to improve self-esteem, develop friendships and enhance wellbeing for people of all ages.
A total of 15 volunteers from CCEP supported the athletes throughout their participation in the Anniversary Games – with the soft drinks manufacturer having been a founding partner of SOGB since the charity first began in Great Britain in 1978.
Lewis said the positive, celebratory atmosphere of the ceremony and watching how much the athletes were enjoying themselves was his own highlight.
He said: “For anyone interested in volunteering with organisations like SOGB, it is a great way to learn new skills, while also sharing your own skills with others – urging people to take the chance where possible – it’s a very rewarding experience.”
Holly Firmin, community partnerships manager at CCEP, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be supporting the fantastic work of Special Olympics GB and helping athletes to prepare for the Anniversary Games.
“Working with SOGB has been a natural fit for us and a muchvalued partnership over the last 40 years.
“The atmosphere at the Games is always incredibly uplifting and inspiring and we look forward to watching the athletes in action and continuing our support of SOGB for many years to come.”
Special Olympics GB’s interim CEO Michelle Carney said: “I want to say a huge thank you to all our athletes, volunteers, coaches, fans, supporters and sponsors for all their hard work to make our 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling a wonderful landmark celebration.”