Aussies shine in Chicago

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

WAIVER TERMS & CONDITIONS

Background

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) conducts a wide range of events throughout the year in support of Special Olympics Australia. These events serve both to raise funds and to promote awareness of Special Olympics activities at local, state, and national levels. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to:

  •  Bunnings BBQ fundraisers,
  • Polar Plunge events,
  • Torch Run and associated supporting activities,
  • Sports carnivals,
  • Club, regional, state, and national sports and games events,
  • Winter sports programs,
  • Athlete Leadership Programs,
  • Family fun days,
  • Special Olympics program events.

These events are organised by Law Enforcement Torch Run (Victoria) Incorporated in collaboration with Special Olympics Victoria and Special
Olympics Australia.

Participation in these events may involve physical exertion and/or risks inherent in recreational, leisure, or sporting activities. It is important to note that:

Participant Responsibilities:

Event organisers do not possess knowledge of individual participants’ physical abilities or disabilities. Accordingly, they are not reasonably able to assess, nor do they accept responsibility for assessing, the safety of an individual’s participation. Each participant is responsible for determining their own fitness and capacity to engage safely in the event.

On-Duty Status for Victoria Police Employees:

Victoria Police employees may attend LETR events in an “on duty” capacity, but this status must be granted and confirmed in advance. In most cases, securing “on duty” status is the responsibility of the individual participant and must be sought through the appropriate command structure. Event organisers may facilitate this process where explicitly stated. 

By participating in LETR events, participants acknowledge these terms and
accept all associated risks inherent in the activities.

Terms & Conditions

By agreeing to enter the Event, the participant:

  1. Agrees that they have been sufficiently advised of the potential risks, dangers and hazards associated with attending the Event.
  2. Agrees that at all such times while attending the Event the participant’s property and person is at their own risk.
  3. Wholly assumes and accepts all liability for the materialisation of any risks, dangers and hazards associated with their actions in attending the Event.
  4. Agrees to participate and voluntarily assume the risk of injury or bodily harm to themselves on attending the Event and participating in any activity at the Event.
  5. Agrees to abide by any lawful instructions given by the employees, agents and volunteers of the Event Organisers, and further agrees to indemnify the Event Organisers and its employees, agents and volunteers, against all liability that may incur, including legal costs, caused or contributed by the participant’s negligence or failure to comply with such instructions.
  6. Agrees to ask for any additional information or explanation about the Event or a particular activity at the Event should they not fully understand the Event, an activity at the Event, or any instructions about participating in an activity at the Event, prior to attending the Event or participating in any activity at the Event.
  7. Acknowledges that the purpose of this document is, to the maximum extent permitted at law, to exclude any liability for personal injury which may be incurred by the Event Organisers or its employees, agents or volunteers, arising out of or in connection with your attendance at the Event or participation in any activities at the Event.
  8. Acknowledges that on occasion, promotional videos or photographs may be used by the Event Organisers which may include your image while attending the Event and consents to this use unless you specifically request the Event Organisers in writing that your image not be used for this purpose.
  9. Accepts with full knowledge that there is a risk of injury and accident associated with attending the Event or participating in activities at the Event, and accepts that they will not have any claim of any nature against the Event Organisers or their employees, agents or volunteers, for any illness, injury or adverse change in medical condition or state of health, arising directly or indirectly from attending the Event, or participating in any activities at the Event.
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