VIC
Flickr Facebook-f Instagram
Donate Now
Volunteer Now

About Torch Run

About Torch Run

Where it All Began

Torch Run had its beginnings in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas.

From those humble beginnings of five officers in 1981, the Torch Run has grown to be a truly global movement with a presence in 32 countries and involving over 110,000 police officers on an annual basis.

Torch Run Programs have existed in Australia and New Zealand since 2004, working tirelessly to develop and maintain fundraising initiatives providing support to Special Olympics programs.

The Guardians of the Flame

Known as ‘The Guardians of the Flame’, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a charitable program that is the largest grass roots funding and awareness vehicle for Special Olympics globally. Partnering with Special Olympics has seen over 3,000 fundraising events occur globally each year. They are the guardians of the Special Olympics flame, the ‘Flame of Hope’.

Together, Law Enforcement Officers and Special Olympics athletes create the ultimate team to proudly carry the torch for the Games. It is an image of unity, as two communities become one in celebration of inclusion and strength.

Victoria Police employees volunteer by assisting at events and donating through work place fundraisers. LETR provides the opportunity for local police offers to engage and connect with the intellectually disabled community.

LETR VIC Strategic Plan 2024-28

Meet the Team

Committee

  • Matt VOLK – President, Torch Run Director
  • Kate LOCKYER – Vice President
  • Dean EARP – Secretary
  • Andrew BEATTIE – Treasurer
  • Mick OLSEN – LETR R14 (Oceania) Coordinator, Public Officer
  • Chelsea MCKAY – Event Coordinator
  • Tegan O’DOWD – Event Coordinator, Internal Communications
  • Elissa BURGOYNE – Business Manager
  • Bill HALLAM – Special Olympics Athlete Representative
  • Jacqui OSTERMAN – Athlete Leadership Coordinator, Social Media, Marketing and Communications
  • Katherine TOWERS – Social Media, Marketing and Communications
  • Trelawney DEWE – Winter Sports Coordinator
  • Rachael KELLY – North Eastern Regional Coordinator
  • Amy WOODLAND – Southern Regional Coordinator
  • Darren FOSTER – Recruit WPG Program
  • Andrew SARVAS – Recruit WPG Program
  • Lauren LUPI – Polar Plunge Coordinator
  • Gerard DE LEON – CBD Torch Run Coordinator
  • Laureina EVERETT – General Committee Member
  • Joshua ROBINSON – General Committee Member
  • Melanie RANKIN – General Committee Member
  • Rory MCCORMICK– General Committee Member
  • Cassie CHAMPION – My First Job (Non Voting Rights)

Alumni

  • Alan Kennedy
  • Jacinta Battersby
  • Chris Thynne
  • Jacqui Robertson
  • Renate Danebergs
  • Melanie Castles- McKeown
  • John O’Dwyer

Official Ambassador

  • Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert

Corporate Advisory Group

  • Cassie Champion – Director and Founder of My First Job
  • Phil Shelley – Victoria Police Sports Administrator
  • Lauren Callaway – Prior Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police, Strategic Leader, Influencer & Author
  • Chantelle Tavitian – Project Management Director, JLL Group
  • Helen Taylor – Event Management and Director, The Australian Book of Records
  • Nicholas Wyman – Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation CEO, Multi Award Winning Author, globally recognised speaker
Terms of reference (coming soon)

Contact Us

Law Enforcement Torch Run Victoria

PO Box 387
Port Melbourne Victoria 3207

Secretary@torchrun.org.au

 

Connect with us on Social Media

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Flickr

Send us an email

Donate Now
Volunteer Now

Torch Run acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where Torch Run work and live. Torch Run pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Torch Run celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LETR VICTORIA

Flickr Facebook Instagram
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.
Agree and continue
Donate Now
Volunteer Now
Select State
VIC

Select a location

VIC
NZ
NSW
QLD
SA
WA
Not to scale