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Podiatrists step in at special olympics
Press Release
16 March 2010
But more healing hands required
Podiatrists from Northern Ireland will once again step in to volunteer their time and professional expertise to participants in this year’s Special Olympic Games, which take place in Limerick from 9 – 13 June 2010.
Almost 2,000 Special Olympic athletes from throughout Ireland will take part in the four day residential games – assisted by 3,500 volunteers. Helping to care for and attend to the Special Olympians’ podiatry needs at the event will be the teams of volunteer podiatrists who regularly offer their professional skills pro bono. Podiatry students from the University of Ulster have also signed up as volunteers at the event.
Alan McCague, chairperson of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) Northern Ireland branch is a regular podiatric volunteer. He says the benefits of being a volunteer are many and varied.
“I would encourage Northern Ireland podiatrists to offer their services to the Special Olympics in June. The camaraderie is infectious, and although it’s hard work – you cannot estimate how rewarding it is on so many different levels.”
Alan first volunteered as a podiatrist in 2003 when the Special Olympics World Summer games were held in Dublin. So inspired by the experience, he has continued to be involved as a podiatric volunteer ever since. This has included voluntary stints at the Special Olympics all over the world – including Japan, China, the Middle East and Germany, and has even been appointed lead trainer for the Middle East region of the Special Olympics.
Annette Codd from Special Olympics said “Alan is one of the most dedicated volunteers in the world programme, and an expert in the kinds of biomechanical problems which are unique to people with learning disabilities. He is just one of the best ambassadors through this event – by promoting podiatry to coaches, families and other healthcare professionals.
“We are keen to recruit more volunteer podiatrists from both private practice and the NHS in Northern Ireland, and I will be attending the SCP’s Northern Ireland Branch conference on 16th April to hopefully recruit more podiatrists to volunteer at the Special Olympics in June.”
Annette Codd can be contacted by email - Annette.Codd@specialolympics.ie, or contact Alan McCague on Alan.McCague@westerntrust.hscni.net
Ends
For further information contact Julie McCaughan on issue.island@btinternet.com or 07787 421 337
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 24th March 2010
Categories: SCP (General), PressZone, Event Reports
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