A sporting extravaganza for people with learning disabilities is set to return for the first time since 2017 – and will feature Lincolnshire athletes.
The Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games will take place in Birmingham from August 26-30, 2026.
The major, multi-sport event includes athletics, boccia, football, gymnastics, Motor Activity Training Programme and swimming.
Some 1,700 athletes with special needs are set to take part from its 135 groups across Great Britain, including Special Olympics Lincolnshire.
Angela Morley, from Dunston, was honoured as a North Kesteven Community Champion in 2016 for preparing 17 athletes to participate in the previous games in Sheffield.
The 71-year-old is a committed volunteer at the organisation and provides year-round sports training to people with learning disabilities.
She said: “I love seeing the small changes that you can see in these young athletes.
“We get them and they won’t even come into the sports hall and then when you see them mixing with other children, it’s a huge achievement.”
Alongside the athletes, there will be an estimated 6,000 family members and supporters at the event.
Tracey Bailey Horton has been bringing her five-year-old twins, Jennifer and Suzanna, for a year now.
She said: “It’s very limiting when you’re a parent of Special Educational Needs (SEN) children and you don’t really get to go out in the community.
“They get to see other children and you get to speak to other parents in similar situations, they both love it.”
The organisation aims to continue building a community for families and providing spaces to achieve for athletes of all abilities.
