North Shore City encourages you to get out onto the streets on Tuesday afternoon (24 November) in support of Special Olympics and the 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR).

Special Olympics New Zealand athletes and local law enforcement officers will carry the Flame of Hope™ from North Shore Police Station to Council Chambers, where they will be greeted by Mayor Andrew Williams and a civic function will be held.

Cheer the torch carriers along their way from 2.30pm. They will start their journey at the Police Station on Huron Street and travel onto Burns Ave, Anzac Street, Lake Road and finish at The Strand.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas (USA) Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. Since then, more than 85,000 law enforcement officers in all 50 US states, all Canadian provinces and 46 other countries carry the Flame of Hope™ through the streets for their local, state or national Special Olympics Games.

Beginning on 23 November 2009, two Torch Runs will make their way through New Zealand to Palmerston North where, on 2 December 2009, they will light the Flame to mark the beginning of the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games.

The Games will run through 5 December and more than 1000 athletes from throughout New Zealand will compete in 10 sports. Fifty-six athletes from North Shore City will travel to Palmerston North to compete at the games.

Kathy Gibson, Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, says “Law Enforcement officers have long been good friends to Special Olympics and have emerged as champions of Special Olympics athletes everywhere. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a visible reminder of the long-standing friendship between our organisations.”