Arklow Vikings needs new volunteers if it’s to survive
THE ARKLOW VIKINGS, Arklow’s long-running Special Olympics Club, has been left with no choice but to suspend its activity due to falling numbers of volunteers.
The club which has been a prominent presence in Arklow since its foundation in 2004, was unable to elect a new committee at its AGM last November and volunteer numbers, while still at safe levels, have been steadily dropping.
While the club remains financially healthy, and though the athletes, coaches and volunteers get great joy from their weekly sessions, the club needs to recruit new committee members and volunteers if it is to continue functioning.
The club has played an important role in facilitating athletes to train in their home town and compete in national and international events.
Attendees of the town’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade will be familiar with the Viking ship float that the club enters every year, and traffic has been stopped on the main street more than once to allow athletes parade with their hard-won medals. The club caters for the sporting and social needs of adults and children with special needs from across south Co. Wicklow and every week, a small but dedicated team of coaches and volunteers provide training in basketball, football, swimming and bocce.
An EGM will be held in Árus Lorcáin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, and is open to anyone who interested in the future of Arklow Vikings.
In the meantime, those interested in learning more about the Vikings or how they can help are encouraged to contact the club secretary at 087 1266381 or arklowvikings@gmail.com.
Whether for one hour a month or three nights a week, as a committee member, coach, or volunteer: everyone is welcome at Arklow Vikings.
Volunteers need have no previous experience – training is available, and the club’s current volunteers will be on hand to help out at all times. A willingness to have fun with and encourage the club’s athletes is all that is required.