Police and Special Olympics New Zealand athletes are poised for a walk
through central Christchurch on Sunday 9 October to support the nationwide
Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

The Freemasons New Zealand Special Olympics National Summer Games are being held from 8 to 12 December in Hamilton.

A contingent of New Zealand Police will walk alongside Special Olympics
athletes from Canterbury and carry the “Flame of Hope” from the Riverside
Market near the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct (Te Omeka) this
Sunday at 11am.

Before they head off, the walkers will be met by Police and other emergency
services staff to walk from Riverside Market around central Christchurch
finishing at Margaret Mahy Park.

The flame symbolises courage, celebrates diversity, and unites communities
around the globe with over 97,000 law enforcement members carrying the
“Flame of Hope” at events annually.

Inspector Mark Harrison, chair of the LETR New Zealand Charitable Trust and
New Zealand LETR director, says “ LETR epitomises what policing is about
– being an active part of the community and supporting positive community
initiatives. It would be great to have the community attend and cheer us
on.”

Inspector Leairne Dow, Relieving District Prevention Manager, is proud to be
involved in the Christchurch leg and says, “We are thrilled to be
supporting such a great event and we’re wishing our Canterbury athletes the
best of luck for the competition.”

Special Olympics chief executive Carolyn Young is excited to see the
nationwide Law Enforcement Torch Run making its way north through
Christchurch to mark the final countdown to the National Summer Games.

“Our clubs have been building up to our pinnacle event for five years, and
the LETR is a wonderful way to raise awareness around the country and to
get everyone excited about the National Summer Games,” says Young.

“We are very grateful to the New Zealand Police for being such a fantastic
partner in this event for so many years and we hope the people of Canterbury
and the rest of the country will come out in numbers to show their support
for our athletes.

The torch will be travelling through most major centres in New Zealand in the
next two months.

To find out more about the Special Olympics National Summer Games visit 
www.SpecialOlympics.org.nz

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