Cameron shows Olympian class
SKIERS from across the country took part in a Special Olympics competition at Ski Rossendale.
The North West Special Olympics Alpine Ski event, which was organised by Rossendale Special Ski Club and sponsored by Bury based GP practice Rock Healthcare, saw skiers coming from as far afield northern Scotland, the West Midlands, Surrey and East Anglia to compete.
Thirty-eight young people took part in races including slalom and grand slalom in novice, intermediate and advanced categories.
And Rock Healthcare employee Cameron de Vial was amongst the medal winners, taking home two bronze medals from the day.
Cameron, an office assistant at Rock Healthcare’s GP practices in Bury and Radcliffe is a founding member of Rossendale Special Ski Club, which caters for those with learning disabilities.
The club began six years ago with eight members, with numbers rising to 30 this year. The skiers, ranging in age from eight to 34, meet for two hours every week at Ski Rossendale.
The club is close to the hearts of everyone at Rock Healthcare as practice nurse Alison de Vial, Cameron’s mum, is chairman of the group. The practice, which has surgeries in Bury and Radcliffe, supports the club regularly and paid the piste fees for the Olympic ski event.
The focus of the event was camaraderie and taking part, with members cheering each other on regardless of which clubs they came from. The day raised £400, which will go towards general upkeep and new equipment.
Alison said: “It was an amazing experience and most people went home with a medal, although winning isn’t the focus. The members all cheer each other on and offer support, and that’s what it’s all about.
“As a parent of a child with learning disabilities it can be difficult because they’re always behind compared with mainstream children. On the ski slope they can compete and events like this really give them their chance to shine.”
Rossendale Special Ski Club is an associate mem- ber of Special Olympics, the world’s largest organisation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, which holds regional, national and world games.
Two of Rossendale’s skiers went to the World Games in Austria this year and came away with medals and a whole host of great memories.
Paul Massey, Director of Practice Management at Rock Healthcare said they were keen to grow their partnership with the club.
He said: “We always like to support our employees in their endeavours and Rossendale Special Ski Club is a hugely worth- while cause that benefits many people. We are proud of Cameron’s success and congratulate him on his medals, which he has already brought in to show his colleagues.”
Rossendale Special Ski Club, who won 25 medals on the day including eight golds, is going for charity status this year and more information can be found at www.rosski.org. uk.