Special Olympics Ireland has unveiled its Support an Athlete campaign with a bid to raise €5 million.
The organisation is raising funds for its programme that caters for 11,000 athletes, 18,000 volunteers, 2,500 family members and 402 clubs.
The Special Olympics was held in Ireland in 2003.
Mary Davis, chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland, said: "As we prepare to send a team to the 2007 World Games in October, the real challenge is to keep raising funds to ensure that Special Olympics can continue to offer physical, social and emotional support to people with a learning disability in their own communities. With the support of the Irish people, just like in 2003 and since, we know we can do this."
The body's Support an Athlete campaign, backed by Eircom, is aiming to ensure more people with learning disabilities are given the opportunity to participate in sport.
Through the €5 million funding it is planning to prepare and train a team of 143 athletes, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
A Support an Athlete campaign office has been set up in every county in Ireland with a co-ordinator to support local fundraising activities. Further details can be accessed through the website www.specialolympics.ie.
The campaign will finish on April 27th.
PA