Following in the footsteps of Cairns City Council, which promoted community donations to support our Olympic athletes, Ashfield Council in Sydney is the first Council in Australia to become a Benefactor of the Paralympic Patrons’ fund for the Paralympic Games in October 2000.
Council is inviting public donations and is setting up a special trust fund to give our paralympians the chance to defend or improve on their number two status established at the Atlanta Paralympics.
Supporters giving $5 or more will receive a certificate of appreciation. Those donating $50 or more will have their names listed on a temporary Honour Roll on display at Council Offices.
Sydney Paralympic Games Chief Executive, Lois Appleby, said she wanted Ashfield residents to imagine sitting in the 110,000 capacity Olympic Stadium on October 18 watching the Opening Ceremony and thinking ‘we are all part of this.’
Ashfield Mayor Mark Bonanno said Council had a history of recognising disability access and equity issues and took the proactive step of committing itself to the Paralympic Patrons’ fund to increase that awareness.
“I admire those athletes, I am proud of them because they make the most of their ability rather than their disability with amazing results,” he said.
The Olympic record for 100 metres is held by Donovan Bailey at 9.84 seconds. The Paralympic record is held by Nigerian amputee Ajibola Adeoye at 10.72 seconds.
“The Paralympic Games is full of those kinds of sporting success stories but they need the public to believe in them and what they can do and come out and cheer them on,” Lois Appleby said.
For further information contact Jane Floyd, telephone (02) 9716 1800.
