Torch Run Australia was front and centre at the 2023 LETR Executive Council in Chicago with its Victorian arm presented with the prestigious Sapphire Award for raising more than $250,000.
It was the highest fundraising amount recorded across Australia.
“It’s the first time we’ve achieved this level of fundraising, and it motivates us to keep going,” our chief, Matt Volk, said.
“Every single Australian delegate is returning home from the conference with a renewed enthusiasm to raise more funds and awareness for the people we do this for, the athletes.”
The focus of the conference remained on Victoria with our very own Chelsea concluding a successful two-year tenure as the Global Athlete Appointee on the LETR International Executive Council where she represented Special Olympics athletes from around the world.
Chelsea received the LETR meritorious service award from Council IEC Chair and fellow Australian, Scott Whyte, a retired NSW Detective Superintendent who has been heavily involved in Torch Run for 20 years. Scott is also stepping down with the completion of his tenure.
The Aussie contingent also braved a brisk three-degree early Chicago morning for the annual LETR International Executive Council Torch Run where they joined 700 fellow runners from around the world in a jam-packed Torch Run around the city’s picturesque harbour.
They also were lucky enough to receive a private tour of the world’s largest purpose-built facility for sport and inclusion based in Michigan.
The Michigan Unified Sports and Inclusion Centre has been designed purely with inclusion and accessibility in mind and specifically to meet the needs of the 24,000 athletes of Special Olympics Michigan.
Standby for next year’s conference in cowboy country, San Antonia, Texas
