Fourteen-year-old Lleyton Lloyd, accompanied by his proud mum Belinda, told us about his achievements and enjoyment with the Hunter Valley Special Olympics Team.

He has been competing with them for eight years in swimming and athletics as well as three years in football (soccer) and 12 months sailing. 

Special Olympics is for people who have an intellectual disability.

He has had two major representative achievements to date.

The first was being part of the NSW athletics team and football team at the Junior National Games in 2012 and secondly as a member of the very strong Hunter swim team at the Canberra Centenary of Federation Games in 2013 which was an international event.

He will be taking part in the10th Special Olympics National Games in Melbourne from October 20 to 25.

He will be competing in track and field athletics.  He will be doing four individual events and one relay, being long jump, 100, 200 and 400-metre runs and the 4 x 100m relay.

While in Melbourne all athletes will also undertake a healthy athlete program with volunteer health professionals providing free screenings to Special Olympics athletes in fit feet (podiatry), healthy hearing (audiology), opening eyes (vision), special smiles (dentistry), health promotion (better health and well-being) and fun fitness (physical therapy).

We were all impressed and inspired by Lleyton’s achievements and were delighted to give a donation to assist him with the upcoming event. 

His ultimate goal is to take part in the Paralympics.

Lleyton shared with us the motto of the Special Olympics - ‘Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt’.

Our members look forward to hearing from Lleyton about his experiences in Melbourne when he returns.

If you would like to find out more about Dungog-Clarence Town CWA please give Maureen a call on 4992 1052.  - Maureen Humphrey