Lewis has the backing to make it big in Dubai

A generous donation has given Special Olympic sailor Lewis Nicholson 500 reasons to smile.

The 15- year- old pupil from Riverbrae School is heading to Abu Dhabi next month to take part in the Special Olympics World Games.

Linwood lad Lewis and his teacher and coach Mick Kelly will be competing in the sailing competition but they require some special summer sportswear equipment to take with him.

Mick, depute head at Riverbrae, found out about 500 Reasons and nominated Lewis to receive £500 to go towards the funding – and he was successful.

He explained: “500 Reasons started down south where 500 people each pay £ 1 a week and can nominate a charity or cause to donate the £500 to each week.

“A small committee makes the decision on who gets the money each week. It’s a really simple idea but quite effective.”

Charity able2sail is funding the £ 2,500 cost of getting Lewis and Mick out to Abu Dhabi and he said they’re going to fundraise when they get back as a thank you.

The pair will head to London on March 7 before meeting up with the rest of the British team the following day to fly out to the Middle East together.

The sailing team will have a week of training before their competition starts in Dubai.

There will be 7,500 athletes from all over the world taking part in this year’s games, trained by 3,000 coaches and supported by 20,000 volunteers. Organisers estimate an audience of around half a million will watch the games in various venues as well.

Mick said: “It’s the biggest thing we’ve ever been involved in, without a doubt. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lewis.

“He’s taking it all in his stride but he is getting more excited as it gets closer.

“It’s great he’s getting to meet the rest of the team and make friends. There are 128 athletes in the British team and we’ve been meeting up.”

Lewis and Mick have been training hard for the competition on their two- man boat at Castle Semple, in Lochwinnoch, and have also spent time at the team’s main training base in Sheffield.

The Special Olympics World Games begins on March 14. It is billed as the world’s largest humanitarian sporting event that focuses on empowering adults with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.

It’s the biggest thing we’ve ever been involved in, without a doubt. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lewis